Effect of natural products on growth and development of Agrotis segetum (Denis and Schiffermuller)

The effect of natural products viz., Neemastra, Agniastra and Brahmastra at different concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 40% was studied on developmental biology of A. segetum on cabbage. The natural products impaired the normal development of A. segetum by prolonging the developmental period in dose dependent manner. The maximum prolongation of incubation (3.02 days), larval (25.23 days), pre-pupal (2.11 days), pupal (10.02 days) and pre-oviposition period (3.00 days) was observed at 40 per cent concentration of Brahmastra as compared to control 2.17, 20.97, 1.34, 9.04, 2.23 days, respectively. However, the adult longevity, oviposition period, post-ovipostition period and fecundity were reduced with increasing concentrations of natural products. Brahmastra (40%) proved to be most effective, in reducing adult longevity (8.58 days), shortening oviposition period (2.49 days), post-ovipostition period (2.05 days) and reducing the fecundity (775.00 eggs) as compared to control 9.82, 4.13, 2.68 days and 887.67 eggs, respectively. The normal development of A. segetum was impaired by various natural products.