Abstract

Insecticidal activities of hexane extracts of leaves and roots of siam weed and vetiver, and roots of neem were assessed against house fly, Musca domestica L. Mortality test was conducted using serial concentrations 20%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% of extracted oils while behavioural orientation of house fly to oil odour, antioviposition effect of oil toward the insects, biochemical reactions in treated flies and fitness of offspring were determined using 20% oil concentration. House fly mortality varied significantly with plant species and part of plant extracted (P < 0.001), concentration applied (P < 0.001) and time post-exposure (P < 0.001). All tested plant extracts showed potential as good control agents with average mortality ranging from 59-74%. However, significantly lower median lethal values (LC50 and LT50) separated vetiver as the most toxic plant against the insect pest. The plant oils repelled house flies (93-100%), reduced the number of larvae that hatched from laid eggs, lowered adult emergence and caused a significant reduction in size and weight of offspring. On the contrary, exposure to plant oils did not alter offspring sex ratio. In comparison to untreated house flies, plant oils induced biochemical stress in poisoned cohorts as evidenced in significant deviation of digestive enzyme (α- and β- amylases, lipase) activity and concentrations of detoxifying enzyme (glutathione-Stransferase), neurochemical enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) and energy metabolism biomolecules (total protein). Implications of obtained results for non-chemical control strategies are discussed.

Highlights

  • Insecticidal activities of hexane extracts of leaves and roots of siam weed and vetiver, and roots of neem were assessed against house fly, Musca domestica L

  • The present study was, carried out to assess the bio-efficacy of five plant oils against house fly and identify a suitable extract that could be formulated into an effective botanical insecticide

  • Percent house fly mortality caused by essential oils of vetiver and siam root was comparable but significantly higher than that from leaves of neem and siam weed (Table 2)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Insecticidal activities of hexane extracts of leaves and roots of siam weed and vetiver, and roots of neem were assessed against house fly, Musca domestica L. Mortality test was conducted using serial concentrations 20%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% of extracted oils while behavioural orientation of house fly to oil odour, antioviposition effect of oil toward the insects, biochemical reactions in treated flies and fitness of offspring were determined using 20% oil concentration. House fly has developed single- and multi-pesticide resistance (Acevedo et al, 2009) prompting some users to indulge in using higher-than-recommended dose rates. This act worsens pest situations in the ecosystem often leading to man and animal poisoning, and environmental pollution. The present study was, carried out to assess the bio-efficacy of five plant oils against house fly and identify a suitable extract that could be formulated into an effective botanical insecticide

Methods
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.