Extracts of the unripe fruit of Ilex paraguariensis as a potential chemical control against the golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae)

Plant extracts can provide a viable alternative to controlling many crop pests. This study sought to assess the efficacy of vegetable extracts of the unripe fruits of Ilex paraguariensis (yerba maté) for chemical control of the channeled apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) and of non-target species as the South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen) under laboratory conditions. In P. canaliculata, the LC₅₀ of the decoction extract was 31.39 mg.L⁻¹ and the LT₅₀ was over 26 h. The LC₅₀ of the butanol extract was 24.75 mg.L⁻¹ and the LT₅₀ was in the range of 28 to 32 h. In juvenile R. quelen, the LC₅₀ of the decoction was 17.98 mg.L⁻¹ and the LT₅₀ was in the range of 10–12 h. These extracts are particularly attractive considering the source of compounds and their effectiveness as molluscicides.