EFFICACY OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM (FLOWER) AND PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS (LEAF) ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FRUIT FLY DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER (DROSOPHILIDAE)

Abstract

The selected plant leaves of P. amboinicus and S. aromaticum (clove) powdered and used for the treatment of Drosophila melanogaster. After days, exactly 10 number of D. melanogaster were introduced into each container along with addition P. amboinicus leaf powders and S. aromaticum (clove) powder in the concentration range of 1g, 2g up to 5g in each separate container. Regular observation was made at every 24 hours interval for 7 days on adult mortality of D. melanogaster. Present study was to investigate the properties of medicinal plant components, for their safety and efficacy. A synthetic insecticide is either not easily available to subsistence farmers or they cannot afford them, the use of natural medicinal plant leaves like S. aromaticum and P. amboinicus which can be easily grown by such farmers. Among the S. aromaticum, higher percentage of mortality rate of D. melanogaster was recorded in 5g.Among the P.amboinicus, higher percentage of mortality rate of D. melanogaster was recorded in 5g.But on a comparative analysis between the leaf powders and P.amboinicus , brought the higher mortality rate of D. melanogaster than S. aromaticum .The above results indicated that the leaf powders P. amboinicus of is very effective in controlling D. melanogaster Physico-chemical analysis and FTIR spectrum analysis of the two powders were also done. Therefore, the present study proves the possibility of using leaf and flower powders as insecticide to control the D. melanogaster. The present study also proved that presence of phytochemicals in two medicinal plant leaves and flower making difference in them. The data were subjected to Linear Multiple Regression analysis; means, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were analysed. Keywords: Drosophila Melanogaster, Plectranthus Amboinicus, Syzygium Aromaticum