IN VITRO INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF SOLANUM MELONGENA

Tribhuvan Singh*, V. Ravi Kumar, N. Lakshmi Bhavani, D. Pravallika, K. Roja and V. Pravallika

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study is to evaluate insecticidal activity of ethanolic extract of Solanum melongena. The ethanol extract of Solanum melongena produced significant knockdown against Sitophilus oryzae (KD 50%) in the concentration of 1% w/v and 5%w/v and tested for 24.5 min and 15.2 min respectively. The knockdown (KD 100%) was seen at 35.5min and 19.2min. For carpenter ant (KD 50%) in the concentration of 1% w/v and 5%w/v tested for 25.3 min and 12.5 min respectively the knockdown (KD 100%) was seen at 52.5min and 25.2min. Pantry weevil larvae (KD 50%) in the concentration of 1% w/v and 5%w/v were tested for 10.2min and 7.2min respectively and the knockdown (KD 100%) was seen at 23.2min and 16.7min. No mortality of the insects was found in any of the controls. The ethanolic Solanum melongena extract showed potent activity against Sitophylus oryzae, Carpenter ant Pantry weevil larvae. The finding of new insecticidal activity is of great importance. The reason for using new natural insecticides is that these are active at highly acceptable levels, biodegradable and do not leave toxic residues.

Keywords: Solanum melongena; Insecticidal Activity; Sitophylus oryzae; Pantry weevil larvae; Carpenter ant.