Growth Inhibitory Effects of Azadirachtin Against Pericalliaricini (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the Growth inhibitory effects of Azadirachtin against the 5th larvae of Pericalliaricini by oral and topical methods. Both methods revealed feeding deterrence in the P.ricinilarvae and they decreased significantlythe larvalgrowthcomparing with larvae in control group. The highestantifeedant activity and larval deformities were observed in 100ppm oral treatment and 300ppm topical treatment. In case of oral treatment, the 5th larvae were not successfully ecdysed and unable to developinto pupa. At topical application, larva-pupal intermediates were observed. No moult from larvae to pupa occurred and the body was still covered by the larval exuvium. This result was indicated that Azadirachtin has antifeedant properties and it disrupts the physiological events such as apolysis and ecdysis and finally it leads to death in the larval growth. The results showed that the Azadirachtin is promising as a biopesticide against P.ricini, it could be an alternative for chemical pesticides.