The effect of citronella essential oil on controlling the mango red-banded caterpillar, Noorda albizonalis hampson (lepidoptera : pyralidae)

Mango fruit borer (red-banded caterpillar) Noorda albizonalis is one of the important pests detrimental to the cultivation of mangoes. A control measure to reduce the level of attacks is necessary in order to prevent a high loss of yield. Plant based pesticides (as citronella essential oil) are potential pest control agents that are environmentally friendly and are safer than the currently used pest-control agents. The present paper was conducted at the Cukurgondang Research Station, Pasuruan- East Java, Indonesia. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 8 replications in which the treatments were concentrations of essential oil 2, 4, 6 cc / l and control (untreated). The parameters observed were the intensity of fruit borer attack and the economic profit obtained from the application of citronella oil. The results showed that the application of citronella essential oil could reduce the rate of fruit borer attack and the production loss on mango, mainly at a concentration of 6 and 4 cc / l. The profit per hectare gained from its application at a concentration of 6 and 4 cc / l was IDR 3, 596, 000 and IDR 2, 864, 000, respectively (US$1 = IDR 9, 700).