EFFECT OF SOME BOTANICAL EXTRACTS AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON AGROTIS IPSILON AND EARIAS INSULANA

Abstract

Seven plant extracts (Cassia fistula, Ambrosia maritima, Tipuana tipu, Lantana camara, Acacia farnisiana, Pluchea discoridis and Artemesia herba alba) and four insect growth regulators (Atabron, Alsystin, Consult and Cascade) were bioassayed for their potentialities against 41 larval in stars of both Agrotis ipsilon and Earias insulana. Among the seven tested plant extracts, four extracts only were effective against A. ipsilon larvae. These were ethanolic extracts of C. fistula (leaves), A. maritima (whole plant), T tipu (leaves and stems) and L. camara (Leaves and stems). However, five extracts •only were effective against E. insulana. These were ethanolic extracts of C. fistula (leaves), A. maritima (whole plant), A. farnisiana, P. discoridis and A. herba alba (whole plant). C. fistula treatment was the most toxic extract against both A. ipsilon and E. insulana larvae. Larval treatment of A. ipsifon and E. insulana with the plant extracts, at the LC50 level, had a pronounced effect on the biological activities of these insects. It was found that C. fistula extract highly reduced larval and pupal weights of A. ipsilon relative to the check. Both C. fistula and A. maritima extracts reduced the pupation and adult emergence. However, they increased the pupal mortality, larval and pupal durations, and femaluexratio of both A. ipsilon and E. insulana. While, A. maritima extract treatment only was the most effective one in shortening adult longevity. Also, fecundity and fertility of A. ipsilon and E. insulana were greatly affected with all the tested plant extracts.