Efficacy of five volatile oils and their mixtures against the mealybug, Icerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) infesting Sago palm, Cycas revoluta in Alexandria, Egypt.

Five tested plant volatile oils and their mixtures were evaluated for controlling the Margarodid, Icerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) on growing Sago palms in Antoniades public gardens, Alexandria, Egypt. The tested volatile oils at concentration rates of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % (v/v) were as follows: Camphor 20%; Dill 20%; Rose 30%; Peppermint 20% and Clove 30% (v/v). Their mixtures were Camphor/Peppermint; Camphor/Rose; at a rate of 1:1 Camphor/Rose/ Peppermint at 1:1:2 and Camphor/Rose/Dill at 2:1:1. The calculated results as general mean of residual reduction percent for the whole inspection periods of the test indicated that the superior volatile oils in reducing mealybugs were both Camphor and Rose, followed by Dill, Peppermint and the least efficient was Clove volatile oil. The evaluated volatile oils mixtures showed that each of Camphor/Rose/Peppermint, Camphor/Rose, and Camphor/Peppermint mixtures occupied a higher rank of efficiency against the treated mealybugs.