*Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India.
Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India.
Online published on 31 October, 2011.
Insect growth regulatory (IGR) activity of the essential oil of Artemisia annua L. leaves was evaluated against fifth instar red cotton but Dysdercus koenigii F. The oil was toxic at higher doses (LD50 0.42 ml insectr−1) and showed IGR activity at a lower dose (0.32 p.1 insect−1). Chromatographic fraction II, germacrene-D and limonene, isolated from the oil showed IGR activity at a dose of 0.5 μl nymph−1. The IGR activity was more pronounced when freshly moulted nymphs were used in bioassay. The treated nymphs developed either as nymphal-adult intermediates or had deformed wings.
Artemisia annua, IGR activity, germacrene-D, limonene, Dysdercus koenigii
