Investigating the Effectiveness of Natural Pesticides

The Objective : The objective is to determine the effectiveness of natural pesticides in controlling leaf gall aphid development.

Methods/Materials

250 leaves with galls from poplar cottonwood trees were collected. Four different pesticides were tested: lemon, 30% vinegar, tomato, and pepper.

The pesticides and a water control were sprayed on the collected leaves in an enclosed environment then observed for one day.

A second test was conducted in the natural environment of the leaves. Parts of the cottonwood trees were sectioned off then sprayed with the pesticides and control and were observed for one day.

Results

After one day of testing the controls in the lab and field test were 100% of the aphids alive. The field results are: tomato- 78% alive, lemon- 76% alive, pepper- 70% alive, vinegar- 62% alive. The lab results are: tomato- 70% alive, lemon- 56% alive, pepper- 40% alive, vinegar- 36% alive.

Conclusions/Discussion

The 30% vinegar pesticide was the most effective in both the lab and field test but it killed the cottonwood leaves as well as the aphids. The tomato pesticide was the least effective in both the field and lab test.

All the pesticides were more effective in killing the aphids in the lab test over the field test. Overall the pesticides were effective in controlling the aphid development, which indicates their effectiveness against other insects.

This project tested natural pesticides in controlling leaf gall aphid development to indicate their effectiveness.

Science Fair Project done By Jorie A. Moore

 

 

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