Oviposition deterrence by Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) through botanicals

non-host plant constituents deterred the oviposition by Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Polar and non-polar plant distillates (botanicals) more or less deterred oviposition by the large white butterflies. methanol and Acetone distillate of Artemisia absinthium, Juglans regia and Nerium indicum deterred ovipostion by P. brassicae either strongly, moderately or weakly, while as aqueous extracts proved either weak deterrents or ineffective at all. Acetone distillate of A. absinthium showed strong oviposition deterrent effect, while as the methanol extract moderately deterred the oviposition by P. brassicae; however aqueous distillate of A. absinthium registered weak oviposition deterrence. Acetone and methanol isolates of J. regia strongly deterred oviposition by P. brassicae. However aqueous distillate of J. regia registered weak oviposition deterrence. Acetone, methanol and aqueous distillates of N. indicum weakly deterred oviposition by the large butterfly. As such non host plant chemical constituents apparently play a significant role in the rejection of plants as hosts by ovipositing female butterflies.