Biological Activity of Trichilia americana (Meliaceae) on Copitarsia decolora Guenée (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The biological activity of extracts from Trichilia americana (Sesse and Mocino) T.D. Penn. (rind), Carica papaya L., Jatropha curcas L., Ricinus communis L., and Lupinus campestris Schldl. & Cham. (seeds), at 1% and 5%, were evaluated on neonates of Copitarsia decolora Guenee in ingestion bioassays. The plants that caused the highest percentage of larval mortality were T. americana at 1% and 5%, and Carica papaya at 5% with 98% and 100% and 100%, respectively. Trichilia americana was the plant with higher toxicological properties against C. decolora. Extracts in hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol from T. americana were then evaluated at 10, 100, 300, and 1,000 ppm also in ingestion bioassays against C. decolora. Extracts of ethyl acetate and acetone at 1,000 ppm recorded the highest percentages of larval mortality of C. decolora (90% and 55%, respectively). In addition to larval mortality, feeding on T. americana extract also decreased mean larval weight, prolonged duration of the larva...