PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is a major agricultural pest that has developed resistance to many synthetic pesticides, necessitating the search for effective, eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigated the insecticidal potential of crude methanol extracts from the liverwort Bazzania spiralis against B. tabaci. Toxicity assays demonstrated 100% mortality achieved at 1000μg/ml after 48 hours of exposure. The LC₅₀ values ranged from 699.37μg/ml (12 hours) to 22.00μg/ml (60 hours). The extracts exhibited strong oviposition deterrence (31.5%) and reduced egg hatchability (39.39%) at 500μg/ml. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed eleven compounds in the extract, with sesquiterpenes (59%) and fatty acids (35.4%) as major constituents. The predominant compounds were spathulenol (48.7%) and palmitic acid ethyl ester (22.2%). These findings suggest that Bazzania spiralis extracts have potential as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides for B. tabaci management. Further research is needed to isolate active compounds, evaluate field efficacy, and assess environmental persistence and effects on beneficial insects.