Euphorbiaceae plant extracts as ovipositional deterrent against Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)

Abstract

The present work was carried out to screen certain formulations against the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. raised on grains of Vigna radiata. The plants selected for the study included Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus amarus and Jatropha gossypiifolia. The investigation was carried out to study the efficacy of the select three plants and recording the egg laying percent by the pest insect. Different formulations using leaf of the plants were employed in the form of crude extract, aqueous suspension, aqueous extract, ethanol extract and diethyl ether extract. The treatments were made using different dose concentrations viz., 1%, 5%, 10% and 25%. The number of eggs laid by the pest insect was noted and ovipositional deterrence was adjudged. Lowest mean egg laying (No./ pair) by C. chinensis was observed in experimental sets treated with 25 % DEE extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia. Overall, DEE and ethanol extract of J. gossypiifolia were found to significantly reduce oviposition by the pest insect.