Succinimide solo and mixed with benzoic acid formulations as novel substitutes for pesticides against sucking pests on Cucumis sativus L. in greenhouses

Abstract Insecticides present several challenges, including negative impacts on human health, environmental pollution and the appearance of pesticide-resistant strains of the pests. Therefore, there is an increasing need to explore alternative pest control strategies. Succinimide an organic compound used in pharmaceutical drugs, benzoic acid and its salts are used as microbiological preservatives in a variety of processed foods and drinks. The aim of this work was to formulate succinimide, benzoic acid and its mixture in a suitable formulation form and determine their toxicity against spider mite Tetranychus urticae and whitefly Bemisia tabaci. The desirable compounds were formulated and passed to specified tests. The toxicity of them assessed against individuals of mites T. urticae and adults of B. tabaci under laboratory conditions. Two separated experiments were conducted in greenhouse to determine the insecticidal efficacy on eggs and individuals of T. urticae and B. tabaci nymphs and adults infested cucumber plants. The results revealed that all tested formulated organic compounds showed excellent ovicidal effect against T. urticae eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci at 4000 ppm. However, they showed good insecticidal effect against individuals of T. urticae and adults of B. tabaci . Additionally, all studied insect stages showed that succinimide with benzoic acid mixture (EW) was as effective as succinimide (SP) or marginally more effective than benzoic acid (EC). From these results, such formulations could be used as safety alternatives for controlling two- spotted spider mite (eggs and individuals) and whitefly (nymphs and adults) on cucumber plants in greenhouse after completing the other needed trials in future.