Bioactivity of extracts from Syzygium aromaticum, Annona muricata, and Piper retrofractum against Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Abstract Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda is an important pest on maize. One of the environmentally friendly control strategies of FAW is by utilizing botanical insecticides. Extracts of Syzygium aromaticum, Annona muricata, and Piper retrofractum are known to be able to control various types of insect pests and ensure sustainability in farming. The objective of this research was to study the effective control of three plant extracts against FAW, including the toxicity against larvae using leaf residual method, the feeding inhibition against larvae, and the oviposition deterrence against female. Probit analysis was used to estimate LC50 and LC95 values of the extracts. The extract of P. retrofractrum exhibited highest mortality compared to the other extracts with LC95 values of 0.230%, followed by S. aromaticum 0.349%, then A. muricata 1.387% against first-instar larvae at 96 hours. P. retrofractum extract showed the highest feeding inhibition of 90.14% at LC95 value, which gradually decreased on S. aromaticum and A. muricata extracts were 80.33% and 78.44%, respectively. Three plant extracts at LC99 and 2 x LC99 levels deterred female oviposition by 100%. This results indicate that P. retrofractum extract has great potential for further development as a botanical insecticide to controlling FAW.