Larvicidal action of Nux-vomica (Strychnus nux-vomica L.) against Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella L.)

• Published in: Journal of applied and natural science Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 2291 - 2299
• Main Authors: Selvaraj, C., Kennedy, J. S., Suganthy, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Haridwar Applied and Natural Science Foundation 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Bark; Bioassays; Butterflies & moths; Chloroform; Diamonds; Ethanol; Fruits; Hexanes; Larvae; Larvicides; Leaves; Mortality; Organic solvents; Plant extracts; Solvents; Stems
• ISSN: 0974-9411; 2231-5209
• DOI: 10.31018/jans.v9i4.1526

The present investigation reports on larvicidal efficacy of plant extracts of Nux-vomica, Strychnus nux-vomica against Diamond back moth (DBM). In this investigation shade dried and powdered nux-vomica plant sam-ples (leaves, root bark, stem bark, seed and fruit rind) were extracted with organic solvents ethanol, methanol, ace-tone, hexane and chloroform and also formulated as Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) using surfactant and solvents. This formulated plant extracts were tested against third instar larvae of DBM for larvicidal efficacy using leaf disc bioassay method under laboratory condition. Among the five solvent extracts tested, hexane extracts of root bark 11.11 EC @ 2 % showed highest larval mortality of 76.66 % followed by seed 14.25 EC, leaf 16.66 EC, stem bark 12.50 EC and fruit rind 12.50 EC extracts exhibited maximum mortality @ 2 % concentration recording 66.66, 63.33, 56.66 and 40.00 per cent mortality respectively. Positive and negative control such as respective solvent and water showed 10.00 and 3.33 % larval mortality respectively. The results of these experiment clearly indicate that nux-vomica plant possess promising larvicidal action against diamond back moth.