Screening of Brazilian plant extracts as candidates for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The effects of plant extracts from Actinostemon concolor, Geonoma schottiana, Palicourea rigida and Rudgea viburnoides on Spodoptera frugiperda were evaluated in this study. The extracts were incorporated into an artificial diet (1 mg mL-1 of diet) and offered to S. frugiperda caterpillars. The extract of A. concolor caused 36.1 % mortality in S. frugiperda. Ultrastructural changes were detected in the eggs of adults when the caterpillars were fed with P. rigida and A. concolor extracts. A reduction in trypsin activity was observed after treatment with A. concolor extract. Total phenolics were quantified for A. concolor, G. schottiana, P. rigida and R. viburnoides, with A. concolor presenting the highest content. The residue from methanol/water extraction, which was obtained from the crude extract of A. concolor, contained the phenolic compounds that caused changes in S. frugiperda biology similar to those caused by the crude extract. In conclusion, A. concolor produces secondary metabolites that have insecticidal activity on S. frugiperda.