Abstract

INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED PLANT EXTRACTS

Jagessar R. C.* and Thompson S. E.

ABSTRACT

Plant extracts have numerous active compounds, rendering them beneficial for plant security against many insects. The present study aimed to test the insecticidal activity of soury (Averrhoa bilimbi), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa), and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) extracts on wood ants (Formica rufa) and to observe the mortality of wood ants (Formica rufa) under controlled scientific conditions. The extracts were obtained by the aqueous extraction method using distilled water. The results showed that the aqueous extracts were strong to moderate insecticidal on the wood ants. Among them, the soury leaves extract reported the highest mortality (63.33 ± 37.86, 68.89 ± 42.86, 86.67 ± 23.09), while on the contrary tamarind and gooseberry showed closely related mortality. Soury (Averrhoa bilimbi), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa), and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) were assessed for the first time against wood ants. It was concluded that all the plant extracts were significantly insecticidal activities, leading to possible commercial insecticides.

Keywords: Averrhoa bilimbi), Ribes uva-crispa, Tamarindus indica. Insecticidal, Formica rufa.