Studies on the Possibility of managing fruit sucking moth, Eudocima (othreis) materna (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using feeding repellents

Studies were carried out to evaluate eight botanicals for their feeding repellency against fruit sucking moth, Eudocima (Othreis) materna (L.). Results indicated that plant oils viz., jatropa, citronella, poppy, thevetia, neem and pongamia along with neem seed kernel extract were effective in preventing O. materna from feeding on the treated guava and pomegranate fruits. Annona oil was found to be a weak repellent. Implications of the results in development of new repellents for controlling O. materna populations are discussed.