Abstract

Use of biopesticides has gained prominence as potential plant protecting agents. Biological activity of aqueous extracts of Catharanthus roseus were evaluated against larvae of gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Screening for larvicidal activity with the aqueous leaf extracts at a concentration of 1000 ppm revealed that the larvicidal activity invariably increased with the stage of larval development. Larval mortality was observed after 24 hrs of exposure to the extracts. All extracts exhibited moderate larvicidal effects (2.60, 3.94, 7.75, 30.83, 38.53 and 63.34) towards I, II, III, IV, V and VI instar of H. armigera larvae. The results suggest that aqueous leaf extract of C. roseus holds a potential to be used as bio-pesticide for the management of H. armigera.

Keywords

Helicoverpa armigera, Catharanthus roseus, Biopesticide, Larvicidal.

Received on 05/10/2016, Accepted on 26/10/2016, Published on 31/10/2016