Control of Spodoptera litura (F.) by botanicals in FCV tobacco

Acetone extracts of 34 plant species were evaluated for control of Spodoptera litura (F.), in FCV tobacco in Andhra Pradesh under laboratory and field conditions. The crude plant extracts of Leucas aspera and Terminalia arjun killed 95 per cent of third instar larvae of S. litura @ 10 μl larvae⁻¹ dose after 72 hr of the treatment. Field evaluation of crude extracts of L. aspera, T. arjun, and Tagitus erecta var. african was carried out at five concentrations. The treatment, crude leaf extract of L. aspera (10% spray) was at par with Chlorpyriphos spray (0.05%) in controlling the larval damage to plants. It can find a place in IPM priogramme of S. litura and further purification/refinement of plant extract (L. aspera)/mixing of crude extracts of two or three plant species are required for promoting its use in large scale field trials.