Repellency and Toxicity of Extracts from Capparis aegyptia L. to Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Two parts of the plant Capparis aegyptia, leaves and fruits, were extracted successfully with 4 different solvents. These solvents namely n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol. These extracts were tested for their toxicity against eggs and adult females of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Extracts of both parts of the plant, prepared from various solvents were affected the behavior, toxicity and fecundity of females under laboratory conditions. Ethyl acetate extract of leaves and fruits was the most potent extract tested against eggs and adult females of T. urticae. In contrast, ethanol extract of fruits was the least effective extract against both tested stages. The egg stage was less susceptible to most different extracts of both parts of C. aegyptia. Leaf discs treated with LC50 concentration of various extracts showed a high percentage of repellency in case of ethanol extract from leaves and fruits (86.67 and 96.42%), respectively. Treated females with LC50 concentration of different extracts showed a higher remarkable percentage of mortality as well as a reduction in the total number of eggs laid during 15 days with fruit extracts than that with leaves extract