Effect of Neem Seed Oil on Fecundity and Oviposition of Dicladispa armigera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Efficacy of neem seed oil (NSO) was assessed on the rice hispa, Dicladispa armigera (Olivier) (Coleoptera: chrysomelidae). It was found, that rice seedlings treated with 0.8, 1.6, 2.4 and 3.2% NSO were avoided by adults for feeding and oviposition. It produced ovicidal action against newly laid eggs of D. armigera at all the concentrations tested (1.6, 2.4 and 3.2%) except at 0.8 per cent. Based on these findings, NSO or other neem products may prove to be effective antifeedant and anti-ovipositional compound against this pest.