Effect of Emamectin Benzoate with Leaf Extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus and Moringa oleifera on the Digestibility and Survival Indices of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Botanical insecticides are an environment-friendly approach and have been used in integrated pest management for various insect pests. Here we tested the effect of emamectin benzoate 1.9% EC alone and with botanicals; Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Moringa oleifera L. on the digestibility indices and survival of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The P. hysterophorus extract at 50 mg concentration was comparable to the alone application of emamectin benzoate in terms of reduced digestibility and survival of S. litura. Overall, 42.7% relative consumption rate (RCR), 74.3% efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), 72.3% efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), 87.5% relative growth rate (RGR), 11.04% approximate digestibility (AD), and 47.6% assimilation rate (AR) were reduced after application of a mixture of emamectin benzoate and P. hysterophorus in comparison to control +ve treatment (untreated). The survival rate was also decreased by using this combination compared to the alone application of insecticide. These findings reflect P. hysterophorus extract's interference with the regulation of feeding and metabolism of S. litura. Further, the results promote P. hysterophorus extract in combination with emamectin benzoate for integrated management of S. litura.