Bioefficacy of Some Botanical Extracts against Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer [Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee); Lepidoptera, Pyrallidae)

Abstract

Plant-based biopesticides such as extracts of neem and eucalyptus are gaining increasing attention as potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides due to their reduced toxicity to non-target species and the environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.) as biopesticides against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB) (Leucinodes orbonalis), a major pest of brinjal (eggplant) crop. Experiments were conducted to determine the lethal concentration of both neem and eucalyptus extracts against BFSB larvae. The biopesticides were applied to brinjal fruit and their efficacy was evaluated by monitoring the mortality of BFSB larvae and pupae. The results showed that both neem and eucalyptus extracts were effective in controlling BFSB larvae, with the neem extract being slightly more toxic than the eucalyptus extract. A 5% concentration of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of neem caused 82% and 64% mortality of BFSB 3rd instar larvae, while the same concentration of eucalyptus extracts caused 73% mortality with 60% mortality, respectively. BFSB 5th instar larvae showed a decreased mortality as compared to 3rd instars. It concludes that the use of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of neem and eucalyptus could help to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides to control brinjal fruit and shoot borer. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of these biopesticides in controlling BFSB and protecting brinjal crops.