Abstract
Phytoinsecticides are considered as an effective and environment friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals for integrated pest management. Asteraceae, the largest plant family is well known for its enormously diverse characteristic content of sesquiterpene lactones. In this study the biological activity of hexane extract of Inula racemosa (Hook) was evaluated against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). The extract exhibited larvicidal and growth inhibitory activities. A moderate antifeedant effect was recorded with maximum feeding deterrence of 24.85% at 1500 ppm of the extract. Diet supplemented with 1500–2000 ppm of the extract induced significantly higher mortality in S. litura larvae compared to control. All concentrations showed a very strong growth inhibitory effect in a dose dependent manner. The highest concentration (2500 ppm) extended the development of S. litura by 21.06 days relative to control. Due to toxic effects of I. racemosa, the adult emergence decreased significantly at concentrations ranging between 1500–2500 ppm. Sublethal effects of the extract were also manifested as morphological deformities in larvae and pupae of S. litura. Nutritional assay studies indicated reduction in growth and consumption rate as well as utilization of ingested and digested food when plant extract was fed to larvae, suggesting both antifeedant and toxic activities. The hexane extract of I. racemosa has significant influence on relative metabolic rate, causing higher metabolic cost to S. litura.
Published Version
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