Evaluation of insecticidal activity of three plant extracts against adult Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Abstract

Screening of plant extracts from wild species of plants for insecticidal properties could lead to the discovery of new agents for pest control. Keeping this in view, the insecticidal activity of three plant extracts Helencha (Enhydra fluctuans Lour), Ghetu (Clerodendrum viscosum Vent) and Kalomegh (Andrographis peniculata Wall) were tested against stored grain pest Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). In residual film bioassay, five doses, i.  e. 0.629, 0.472, 0.315, 0.157 and 0.078 mg/cm2 of methanol extract of leaves of each plant species were applied on adult Tribolium castaneum. After 36 hours, the lowest LD50 for the methanol extract of leaves of Enhydra fluctuans, Clerodendrum viscosum and Andrographis peniculata were found to be 0.351, 0.622 and 0.977 mg/cm2, respectively. According to the intensity of activity, the toxicity was found in the order of Enhydra fluctuans  >  Clerodendrum viscosum  >  Andrographis peniculata. The overall results suggest that these three plants have potential insecticidal effect which might be used in pest control.