PESTICIDAL ABILITY OF CHRYSANTHEMUM FLOWER EXTRACT (Dendranthema

grandiflora) AGAINST COCONUT SCALE INSECT (Aspidiotus destructor)

Anna Jocelli Gomez

Althea Angeline Mosura
Zul Micah Alexandrei Torres
April 2019

A.Rationale
According to Philippine Coconut Authority provincial development manager Efren
Carba, the damage cost of different plantations have already reached an estimate of
P18 million and if left unattended this will certainly have an adverse economic effect not
only to the coconut farm stakeholders but also those workers in the oil milling industry.
The office also received reports that other trees like Lansones, Banana and Papaya
were also affected by the swarm of scale pests. (The Manila Times, 2014 ). Cocosilap
insects are difficult to completely eradicate as they reside under the leaves of mature
coconut trees, making it difficult for rain to wash them away (Edge Davao, 2014).
Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum or Dendranthema grandiflora is known for its medical
uses. Chrysanthemum is one of the most important flower crops commercially grown in
different parts of the world. The plant is economically important as a natural source of
insecticide. Pyrethrins become active once the flower is dried and pulverized. Pyrethrin
is a very powerful component in killing bed bugs. (Sean Si, July 17, 2015) This study of
ours titled as Insecticidal ability of Chrysanthemum or Dendranthema grandiflora flower
extract against Coconut Scale Insects or Asipidiotus destructor, aims to find an
alternative way to eradicate Cocolisap completely, and produce a spray that could
eradicate and still save the plants, making them safe to use.

B.Problems

 Does the Chrysanthemum flower has the ability to eradicate Coconut

Scale Insects?
 What is the mechanism of the flower to eradicate the Coconut Scale
Insects?
 Is there a significant difference in eradicating Coconut Scale Insects using
Chrysanthemum flower extract?

C. Goals/Expected Outcomes/Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis: There is no significant difference in the number of coconut scale

insects being eradicated by the negative control and different treatment group.
Alternative Hypothesis: There is a significant difference in the number of coconut scale
insects being eradicated by the negative control and different treatment group.

D. Description in Detail Methods or Procedures

D1. Procedures
A. Collection of plant materials and soil samples

Chrysanthemum flowers will be collected at Sirib, Calinan Davao City. The coconut
scale insects will be collected from a coconut farm at Sirib, Calinan Davao City. It is said
that coconut scale infestation is worsening in the area and farmers are currently
needing help to eliminate said pests.
B. Preparation of Materials

The materials that will be used in this study include: Chrysanthemum flowers,
coconut scale insect samples, spray containers, jars, beakers. The spray containers
and jars will be bought from a local mall. While the beakers will be borrowed from
Davao City National High School’s Science Laboratory.
C. Plant Identification

The collected Cogon grass plants will be identified and authenticated by the Department
of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI located at F. Bangoy., Poblacion District, Davao
City, Davao del Sur, Philippines.
D. Experimental procedures
The researchers will first, sterilize the materials that will be used. The
chrysanthemum flowers will be sun dried near the main building. After drying, it will then
be pulverized using a blender. The researchers will measure 6 litres of warm water, they
will place it on three different glass jars, and soak different quantities of pulverized
chrysanthemum flowers in it for 3 hours, covered.) After 3 hours, the researchers will
then place them on different spray containers, according to its measured
concentration,. To find the concentration of the extract, first we must identify the solute
and the solvent. In our case, the pulverized chrysanthemum flowers is our solute, and
the 6L of warm water is our solvent.
We will then convert the measurements to grams. Once you have the mass of the
solute and the mass of the solvent, both in grams, use this formula to calculate the
percent composition: (grams of solute (in g) over (grams of solute + grams of solvent)) x 100. (Daniel
Herkes, 2015). The researchers will then gather the specimens to an isolated container
and spray it with the extract twice. Per group there will be 2 containers, and for each
container 5 coconut scale insects will

be placed as test samples. The extract will be sprayed twice in each container based on
their group. For group 1: (pesticide spray , 50% extract), group 2: (pesticide spray, 75%
extract), group 3 (100% extract), and for group 4: (pesticide spray). While spraying, the
researchers will record the time and observe if the specimens would show no signs of
life. Lastly, the researchers will rate the time recorded to be used as the data.
E. Proper Waste Disposal

After the experimentation, all the instruments that were borrowed from Davao City
National High will be returned without any breakage or any damage. The unused
Chrysanthemum flower extract and coconut scale insect will be placed on its container
which will be completely sealed and will be placed at Davao City National High School
Science Laboratory. And the other materials of the experiment will be thrown safely in a
black plastic bag.

I. Statistical Analysis

The researchers will use T-Test for Independent sample . This is because in their
study the researcher will compare the mortality rate between the experimental group
and the negative control group.
D2. Risk and Safety

Each of the proponents will wear a laboratory gloves, laboratory gown and a
mask for safety purposes. The research will have an adult guidance during the
experimentation to avoid accidents.
D3. Data Analysis
The pesticidal ability of chrysanthemum flower extract will be determined by:

 The average coconut scale insect killed by the ecxtract.

 The length of time it took for the coconut scale insect to be killed by
the extract
 Comparing the number of coconut scale insect killed by the
commercial product
E. Bibliography

Ang, V. (n.d). ‘Cocolisap’ pest infestation spread in Mindanao feared. Retrieved April 10,
2019, from http://edgedavao.net/the-big-news/2014/07/07/cocolisap-pest-infestation-spread-in-
mindanao-feared/
Arado, J. (2017). Davao Region free of cocolisap. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/409857/PCA-Davao-Region-free-of-cocolisap