Antifeedant and toxicity effect of citronella essential oil against Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith larvae

Abstract

The Spodoptera frugiperda, often known as the Fall armyworm (FAW), is a new invasive pest that poses a danger to Indonesia’s ability to grow maize. It is advised to use botanical insecticides to control this pest because they are safe for the environment. The purpose of this study is to assess the toxicity of Cymbopogon nardus, also known as citronella essential oil (CEO), and how well it inhibits eating in FAW larvae. At the Plant Protection Laboratory of Tadulako University, the CEO was evaluated on third-instar FAW larvae at concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% effect and control. The choice approach was used to test the feeding inhibition. Larval mortality was evaluated at 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours following treatment, and its toxicity was assessed using a probit analysis. Additionally, the morphology and growth of the larvae up until they become pupae were observed. The increased larval mortality and decrease in larval survival till pupae with increase in CEO concentration suggested that CEO had modest antifeedant activity but substantial toxicity to FAW larvae. According to this study, citronella oil has a strong larvicidal impact and may be used as a natural insecticide to suppress FAW.