EFFECT OF PLANT EXTRACTS ON THE MORTALITY OF SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (J. E. SMITH) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) CATERPILLARS

ABSTRACT The armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is considered the main pest of the maize crop, being responsible for the intense use of synthetic insecticide in agricultural areas and the consequent rise in costs and environmental concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 20 plant extracts on the larval mortality of S. frugiperda. Extracts were obtained through a mix of plant leaves or roots, in a 1:10 proportion. The infusion was obtained by the addition of hot water at 90ºC and the grinding was prepared with water at 4º C. Sixty second-instar caterpillars were used per treatment in the bioassays when 100 ?L of plant extracts were applied, while distilled water was applied in the control treatments. The plant extracts were assessed by spectrophotometry and SDS-PAGE. Of the 20 species tested, 7 showed mortality for caterpillars S. frugiperda. Petiveria alliacea. Malva sylvestris. Bacharis genistelloides,Zengiber officinale. Artemisia verlotorum,Cymbopogon citratus and Ruta graveolens. Mortality rates caused by these extracts must be related to substances that have not been evaluated and should be the target of future studies.