Silver nanoparticles containing stearic acid isolated from Catharanthus roseus: Ovicidal and oviposition-deterrent activities on Earias vittella and ecotoxicological studies.

In the recent past, many agrochemicals have been used to control pests, but many of these fail due to the development of resistance. Many researchers, therefore, concentrate on developing new pesticide formulations from natural resources (plants/microorganism). In the present study, different extracts from Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) was evaluated for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities against Earias vittella (spiny bollworm). Among the tested extracts DCM (Dichloromethane) extract showed highest ovicidal activity (70.47%) and oviposition deterrent activity (75.41%) against E. vittella. Based on this biological activity, DCM extract was fractionated and isolated 7 fractions; all of these were evaluated for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activity against E. vittella. Maximum ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activity was recorded in fraction 5, followed by the 7th fraction. Stearic acid was isolated from fraction 5 and was subjected to nanoparticle synthesis. This nanoparticle was tested for its effects against E. vittella. It was found to exhibit 100% oviposition deterrent and 95% ovicidal activities against E. vittella, and also reduced the protein (53.63%), glutothionine esterase (39.16%), and esterase activity (45.25%) of the treated larvae. The synthesized nanoparticle was subjected to ecotoxicology evaluation against Daphnia sp. (water fleas) and Cyprinus carpio (common carp). The nanoparticle showed >100 mg/L for EC50 and LC50 against both aquatic organisms. Based on the result, it could be studied further to develop the ecofriendly formulation with stability studies for agriculture pest management.

Toxic effects of Solanum xanthocarpum Sch &Wendle against Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.), Culex quinquefasciatus (Say.) and Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826).

Many commercially available agro and household chemicals are used as pesticides, repellents, and growth inhibitors against insect pests. The repeated uses of these chemicals against insect pests have caused the development of resistance in them; they also cause ill effects on nontarget organisms. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antifeedant, larvicidal, pupicidal, and biochemical effects of the solvent extracts of Solanum xanthocarpum against third instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis. The results revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoid, and quinone. Maximum antifeedant activity of 72.30% was recorded in chloroform extract followed by hexane (69.02%) and ethyl acetate (57.40%) extracts against H. armigera. Chloroform extracts of S. xanthocarpum showed more than 60% larvicidal and pupicidal activity against H. armigera. The effective chloroform extract was fractionated with increasing polarity of solvent system (hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts). Based on the TLC profile, nine major fractions were isolated. The fourth fraction showed higher antifeedant, larvicidal, and pupicidal activity against H. armigera. The effective fraction reduced the hemolymph and gut protein concentration in a concentration-dependent manner (r 2 0.99). The effective fraction 4 showed 100% larvicidal activity at 500 ppm concentration with LC50 value of 227.95 ppm. The fourth fraction did not show any toxic symptom or mortality of earthworm. Based on these results, this effective fraction could be used in the development of a pesticide formulation to control insect.

Larvicidal efficacy of Sphaeranthus indicus, Cleistanthus collinus and Murraya koenigii leaf extracts against filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).

Sphaeranthus indicus, Cleistanthus collinus and Murraya koenigii leaf extracts were tested against the third instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The plant material was shade dried at room temperature and powdered coarsely. From each plant, 500 g powder was macerated with 1.5 L of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate sequentially for a period of 72 h each and filtered. The yield of the S. indicus, C. collinus and M. koenigii crude extracts by hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate was 9.16, 11.71 and 10.83 g for S. indicus; 8.17, 10.69 and 9.85 g for C. collinus; and 10.11, 11.92 and 9.87 g for M. koenigii, respectively. The extracts were concentrated at reduced temperature on a rotary vacuum evaporator and stored at a temperature of 4°C. The S. indicus, C. collinus and M. koenigii leaf extracts at 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 ppm caused a significant mortality of C. quinquefasciatus. The LC(50) and LC(90) values of S. indicus, C. collinus and M. koenigii against third instar larvae at 24, 48 and 72 h (hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate) were the following: S. indicus LC(50) values were 544.93, 377.86 and 274.79 ppm and LC(90) values were 1,325.32, 1,572.55 and 1,081.29 ppm at 24 h; C. collinus LC(50) values were 375.34, 318.29 and 226.10 ppm and LC(90) values were 699.65, 1,577.62 and 1,024.92 ppm at 24 h; and M. koenigii LC(50) values were 963.53, 924.85 and 857.62 ppm and LC(90) values were 1,665.12, 1,624.68 and 1,564.37 ppm at 24 h, respectively. However, the highest larval mortality was observed in C. collinus followed by S. indicus and M. koenigii of various concentrations at 24, 48 and 72 h. The study proved that S. indicus, C. collinus and M. koenigii leaf extracts had larvicidal property against species of C. quinquefasciatus. This is an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of vector control programmes.

Ovicidal activity of Atalantia monophylla (L) Correa against Spodoptera litura Fab. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Atalantia monophylla (A. monophylla) leaf in different solvent crude extracts and fractions against eggs of Spodoptera litura (S. litura). METHODS: Hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform solvent extracts of A. monophylla leaf and 12 fractions from hexane extract were screened at 5.0%, 2.5%, 1.0% and 0.5% for crude extracts and 1 000, 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg for fractions against the eggs of S. litura for the ovicidal activity. LC50 and LC90 were calculated using probit analysis. RESULTS: Hexane crude extract showed maximum ovicidal activity of 61.94% at 5.0% concentration with a correlation value of r (2)=0.81, and least LC50 value of 3.06%. Hexane extract was fractionated using silica gel column chromatography and 12 fractions were obtained. Fraction 9 was active which showed maximum ovicidal activity of 75.61% at 1 000 mg/kg with the LC50 value of 318.65 mg/kg and LC90 value of 1 473.31 mg/kg. In linear regression analysis, significant and high correlation (r (2)=0.81%) was seen between concentration and ovicidal activity of hexane crude extracts and its active fraction. CONCLUSIONS: As per our knowledge, this is the first report for ovicidal activity of A. monophylla against S. litura, A. monophylla could be used for the management of S. litura and other insect pests.

Antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities of Atalantia monophylla (L) Correa against Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Atlantia monophylla leaf were studied against third instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. All the extracts showed feeding deterrent, larvicidal and pupicidal effects in a dose dependent manner. Significant antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities were observed only in hexane extract. The hexane extract was subjected to fractionation using silica gel column chromatography. Twelve fractions were obtained. Ninth fraction showed good antifeedant, larvicidal, pupicidal activities and disrupted adult emergence. LC(50) value was at 384.57 ppm for larval mortality. The active fraction at 1000 ppm concentration had 100% pupal mortality.