A new study published in the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science has unveiled that the bitter apple plant (Citrullus colocynthis) could be a powerful natural alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana).
Researchers Adeena Malik, Khalid Mehmood, and Muhammad Sajid Nadeem from PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Pakistan, investigated both the repellent and contact toxic effects of C. colocynthis leaf and fruit extracts against adult cockroaches under laboratory conditions.
Powerful Repellent and Toxic Effects
The study demonstrated that both leaf and fruit powders showed strong repellency, with the fruit extract outperforming the leaf extract. The repellent activity of the fruit extract ranged between 69.5% and 93.1%, while the leaf extract showed repellency between 70.3% and 89.2% within 24 hours.
High Mortality with Fruit Extract
When tested for contact toxicity, the fruit extract achieved 100% mortality within 48 hours, even at low concentrations (LC₅₀ = 1.767% after 24 h). In comparison, the leaf extract reached 100% mortality after 72 hours. These results confirm the strong insecticidal potency of C. colocynthis fruit extract.
Safe and Eco-Friendly Alternative
The authors emphasize that chemical pesticides, though effective, pose risks to human health, non-target organisms, and the environment. The plant-based alternative derived from C. colocynthis provides a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly solution for household pest management.
Future Prospects
While the study confirms the laboratory efficacy of C. colocynthis against cockroaches, further work is needed to isolate the active phytochemicals and assess their field performance. The researchers advocate for increased awareness and use of botanical insecticides to reduce dependence on synthetic chemicals.
Reference
Malik, A., Mehmood, K., & Nadeem, M. S. (2025). Evaluation of repellent and contact toxic effects of Citrullus colocynthis against the Periplaneta americana. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01642-0
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