Antifeedant activity of twenty six plant extracts and pure compounds from the root bark of Toddalia asiatica (L) (Rutaceae) against the anomalous emperor moth Nudaurelia belina (Saturnidae)

Abstract

The antifeedant activity of petroleum ether (PE) (40-60%) extract of the root bark of T. asiatica and twenty five other plant extracts was investigated against the anomalous emperor moth N. belina. The petroleum ether extract of stem bark of Albizia anthelmintica, leaves of Cassia occidentalis, Balanites aegyptica, seeds of Cucumis sativaus, root bark of T. asiatica, root bark of Celtis durandii, B. aegyptica and whole plant of Cisus quadrangularis were found to be active against N. belina at a concentration of 1% w/v in a modified leaf disc method. Also, methanol extracts of the root bark of A. muricata and Eucalyptus spp were found to be active against N. belina at a concentration of 1% w/v. Three cumarius; dihydrotoddanol, toddanol and toddalactone and the alkaloid dihydrochelerynthrine isolated from the PE extract of the root bark of T. asiatica exhibited antifeedant activity at as low as 0.05% w/v. Toddaculine and toddanone which were also isolated from the P.E. extract had no activity at 0.05% w/v.

Keywords: Antifeedants, Toddalia asiatica, Rutaceae, Nudaurelia belina, Saturnidae