Gayathri R, Mahalakshmi T, Manasa Satheesh, Smila KH
Chemical and synthetic pesticides used for controlling various plant pest have resulted in the development of resistance to several classes of pesticides. In the present study, five medicinal plants were screened for their ovicidal activity againstHelicoverpaamigera ,Spodopteralitura ,Plutellaxylostella,Corcyracephalonica. Hexane, Diethyl ether extract of plants was studied at 1% concentration. Effective plant extracts identified based on total antioxidant, flavonoid and phenolic contents and Maximum ovicidal activity was recorded in hexane extract of Vitexagnuscastus (96%) for Spodoptera,(93.5%) for Plutella and (90.5%) for Corcyra followed by hexane extract of Ricinuscommunis (92%) for Corcyra and Pongamiapinnata(84.5%) for Corcyra. Diethyl ether extract showed lower activity when compared to hexane extract. Further isolation and identification of bioactive principles responsible for the ovicidal activity is needed