Effect of extracts of Trichilia silvatica C. DC., on development and reproduction parameters of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the methanolic extracts from the leaves, bark and flowers of Trichilia silvatica on Spodoptera frugiperda. Also, it was use in evaluating the total phenolic and flavonoid content of methanolic extracts. We also reported chemical study on the most active extract. Corn leaves were immersed in a 1% methanolic extract solution and fed to second instars of S. frugiperda. The extract of the T. silvatica (LTS) leaves decreased the viability of the larva, prolonged larval duration, affected the pupal biomass, decreased the period of oviposition and the number of eggs as well as affected the egg viability. The methanolic extract of the T. silvatica (BTS) bark decreased the larval viability, oviposition period, number of eggs and egg viability. The flower extract of T. silvatica (FTS) decreased the larval viability and period of oviposition. In relation to the constituent contents, the methanolic extract of the leaves showed highest total phenol (233.37 mg gallic acid/g of extract) and flavonoid (53.17 mg quercetin/g of extract) content. The chemical study of the FTS resulted in α-tocopherol, sitosterol 3-O-glucopyranoside, mustakone and N-metilproline. Our results indicate that the extracts affected the biology of S. frugiperda, with LTS being the most promising.

Keywords: Meliaceae, methanolic extracts, insecticides, plant-derived compounds.

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(20), 2014-2049