Evaluation of Quisqualis indica and Samadera indica Gaertn as botanical pesticides against Spodoptera litura (F.) in Polyhouse

The crude methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Quisqualis indica L. and Samadera indica Gaetrn. were evaluated for their antifeedant and insecticidal action against third instar larvae of Spodoptera litura (F.) under laboratory condition. Maximum antifeedant activity was observed in crude methanol extracts of S. indica (45.62%) and Q. indica (31.87%) at 5% concentration. Significantly superior insecticidal action (93.51%) was noticed in Q. indica methanol extract 5%, while S. indica methanol extract 5% showed 73.55% larval mortality after three days of exposure. Results of pot culture study conducted under polyhouse revealed that crude methanolic extract of Q. indica and S. indica at 5% reduced the population to less than half with mean population of 3.2 and 3.8 larvae/plant two weeks after spraying. These reveal that these plants could be exploited as botanical pesticides in polyhouse.