Plants with insecticidal activities against four major insect pests in Pakistan

Abstract

Local flora was screened for pesticidal activity against insect pests of field crops, Aesculus indica (flower and leaf) extract was found effective (up to 75% mortality) against sugarcane mealybug (Saccharicoccus sacchari). Schinus molli (leaf), and Aesculus Indica (leaf and flower) extract caused significant (60–70%) mortality in yellow rice stem borer (Schirpophaga incertulas) larvae. Azadirachta indica leaf powder fed to chickpea pod borer (Heliothis armigera) caused failure in pupation and adult emergence. Addition of Azadirachta Indica and Broussentia papyrifera to artificial diet restricted the adult emergence in Heliothis armigera. Similarly, prolonged larval period (21 days compared to 14 in control), delayed pupation and deformed adult formation resulted after treatment with Azadirachta indica (leaf) and Melia azedarech (fruit) powder. Significant mortality (60–90%) was observed in sugarcane pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla) adults treated with Azadirachta indica, Dryopteris ramosa and Schinus molte (leaf) extract.

Keywords:

• Allelochemicals
• botanical pesticides
• insects
• Pakistan

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