The potential use of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms against Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidotera: Noctuidae), its efficacy as an insecticide on vital biological activities and assessment on its safety

Abstract

The current study was carried out to evaluate eco-friendly extracts of an invasive weed; Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae) for controlling Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidotera: Noctuidae). The insecticidal and biological activities of the whole plant extracts with different polarity solvents (petroleum ether, acetone, and absolute ethanol) were investigated. The extracts were evaluated against the 2nd larval instars of A. ipsilon. The results revealed that acetone fraction extract was the most effective extract with the lowest LC50 value (240 mg/L). The larval mortality percentage increased by elevating concentrations of all tested extracts. Pupation and adult emergence percentages were inversely proportional with the concentration of all tested extracts. There was a disturbance in both the adult malformation and sex ratios. Furthermore, the spectrophotometric testing of the most promising extracts (acetone and ethanol fractions) on some biochemical parameters (total body metabolites, acid and alkaline phosphatases, aminotransferase activities, and kidney function) in the serum of albino rats showed non-toxic effects on mammals. Therefore, acetone and ethanol fraction extracts of E. crassipes were considered promising eco-friendly insecticidal alternatives in (Integrated Pest Management) IPM programs to control A. ipsilon worldwide.