Effect of Adiantum Capillus-Veneris Against Plutella Xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutoidae) and Aphis Craccivora (Homoptera:Aphididae)

Growth regulatory activity of Plutella xylostella and Aphis craccivora were investigated in laboratory and field using leaf dip method. Second instar larvae of P. xylostella were fed on cabbage leaves sprayed with extracts of Adiantum capillus – veneris, while A. craccivora were fed on cowpea/bean leaves sprayed with the same composition of extracts. In P. xylostella, Adiantum capillus-veneris extract showed 80–95, 78–90, 75–85 and 40- 55% larval mortality with Hexane extract at 30, 20,10, and 5 mg/ml concentrations respectively. In A. craccivora, the values were 70–100, 70–100, 60-100and 45–100% respectively. The Chloroform extract showed highest activity (85 and 90%) in A. craccivora as compared to P. xylostella (50 and 75%) at 30 and 20 mg/ml respectively. At lower concentration, it was found to be 30 and 50%. A.craccivora showed highest LC50 with Hexane extract (6.3784 mg/ml) as compared to P.xylostella (5.6146 mg/ml). Similarly, Chloroform extract of A.craccivora also showed highest LC50 values (1.58839 mg/ml) as compared to P.xylostella (8.1979 mg/ml).