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Research
has shown that neem extracts have an effect
on nearly 200 species of insects. It is
significant that some of these pests are
resistant to pesticides, or are inherently
difficult to control with conventional pesticides
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It is
only in the past decade, that the pest
control potential of neem, which does
not kill pests but affects their behaviour
and physiology, has been recognized. Neem's
effects such as repellence, feeding and
oviposition deterrence, growth inhibition,
mating disruption, chemo-sterilization
etc. are now considered far more desirable
than a quick knock-down in integrated
pest management programs as they reduce
the risk of exposing pests natural enemies
to poisoned food or starvation.
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In spite
of high selectivity, neem derivatives
affect ca. 400 to 500 species of insects
belonging to Blattodea, Caelifera, Coleoptera,
Dermaptera, Diptera, Ensifera, Hetroptera,
Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera,
Phasmida, Phthiraptera, Siphonoptera,
and Thysanoptera, on species of ostracod,
several species of mites and nematodes,
and even noxious snails and fungi, including
aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus.
Results of field trials in some major
food crops in tropical countries will
illustrate the value of neem-based pest
management
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