Biopesticidal efficacy of Ricinus communis Linnaeus and Achyranthes aspera Linnaeus against bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) infesting blackgram

The biopesticidal efficacy of locally available plants, arandi, Ricinus communis and puthkanda, Achyranthes aspera was evaluated against Callosobruchus maculatus infesting black gram, Vigna mungo in storage. The extracts of leaves, stem and seeds of both plants were made in acetone and methanol to evaluate the efficacy on adult deaths, fecundity and F1 generation. The death was counted after every 24 h upto 100% eradication of weevils. The methanol extract of R. communis seeds showed 100% mortality on 5^th day and acetone extract of A. aspera stem reported 100% deaths after one week at 20% concentration. R. communis seeds extract and A. aspera stem extract proved to be potentially effective in controlling C. maculatus.