Bioefficacy of Ceasalpinea bonduc (L.) Roxb. against Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Bioefficacy of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the seeds of Ceasalpinea bonduc (L.) Roxb. was studied against third instar larvae of Spodoptera litura at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5.0% concentrations. Significant antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities and least LC₅₀ values were observed in chloroform extract. The chloroform extract was subjected to fractionation using silica gel column chromatography. Six fractions were obtained; among these, the third fraction showed high antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities at 1000 ppm concentration. Abnormalities in adults were also observed. All the activities were concentration dependent. C. bonduc could be useful in integrated pest management programme.

Keywords:

• antifeedant
• larvicidal
• pupicidal
• abnormalities
• Spodoptera litura
• Ceasalpinea bonduc

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai for financial support to carry out this work.