Checking the destruction of Dysdercus cingulatus fabr.

Dysdercus cingulatus is an very destructive pest of Abelmoschus esculentus, to protect this crop from destruction, in present study the repellency effect of four plant extracts i.e.; seeds of Anona squamosa, seeds of Momordica charantia, leaves of Ocimum sanctum and rhizome of Zingiber officinale were collected, cleaned and shade dried for two weeks. All the extracts were made in ethanol. To assess the repellent properties of all four extracts, five concentrations (0.25%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 1.25% & 1.50%) were prepared from stock solution. Acontrol group of bugs were exposed to ethanol+emulsified water. The test insect Dysdercus cingulatus Fabr was collected from field and reared in laboratory. The repellency tests on red cotton bug were done in laboratory. Anona squamosa proven highly effective with LC₅₀ 0.99% among all extracts, next comes the Momordica charantia with LC₅₀ 1.53% followed by Ocimum sanctum LC₅₀ 1.57%. Annona squamosa was found significantly different from other extracts. Zingiber officinale extract was found significantly least effective LC₅₀ 2.31%. All of these plant extracts were found significantly effective in controlling the damage done by red cotton bug compared to control.