Antifeedant Activty Of Different Organic Solvent Crude Extracts Of Euphorbia hirta Latex On The Edible Tropical Land Snail (Limicolaria aurora)

Abstract

The antifeedant activity of different organic solvents (acetone, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, diethyl ether and ethyl alcohol) crude extracts of latex of Euphorbia hirta (family Euphobiaceae) against Limicolaria aurora was investigated, and compared with a control, using pawpaw, (Carica papaya) as bait, at a concentration of 200μg/g. Results showed no mortalities. E. hirta extracts depressed diet consumption when compared to control with lower antifeedant index range from 12 to 43% after a 96 hr exposure in plastic snaileries under controlled laboratory conditions. Carbon tetrachloride recorded the highest antifeedant index of 43.24% and the lowest consumption of 3.57 ±2.97g.

Keywords: Edible tropical land snails, antifeedant, plant extract, Euphorbia hirta

Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 149-155