Oviposition deterrent and adult emergence activities of some plant aqueous extracts against Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of aqueous extracts of Acorus calamus root (Acoraceae), Artemisia nilagirica (Asteraceae), Cassia auriculata (Fabaceae), Cassia siamia (Caesalpiniaceae), Citrus aurantium peel (Rutaceae) and Percularia daemia (Asclepiadaceae). Oviposition deterrent, F1 adult emergence and weight loss were carried out at four different concentrations (1.25%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%) on cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) against C. maculatus. Maximum oviposition deterrent activity was observed in C. siamia (84.66%) followed by C. aurantium peel (82.11%) at higher concentration. Notably these two extracts showed above 50% oviposition deterrent activity even at lower concentration. Reduction in F1 adult emergence was higher in P. daemia (91.25%) treated seeds. The other plant extracts also exhibited their higher potential against C. maculatus. Weight loss due to insect infestation was drastically reduced when compared to the control. All extracts did not affect the germination of the seeds.