Histopathological effects of leaf extracts of Clerodendrum infortunatum and Eupatorium odoratum on the midgut tissue of sixth instar larvae of Orthaga exvinacea Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The histomorphological changes due to the effect of leaf extracts of Clerodendrum infortunatum and Eupatorium odoratum on the midgut tissue of sixth instar larvae of Orthaga exvinacea was studied under laboratory conditions. The caterpillars were fed with five different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) of botanicals treated mango leaves for 48 hours. The effect of botanicals on the morphometric and histological changes in the midgut tissue shows that they can cause degenerative effects in the midgut epithelium. The changes occurred in the structure of the epithelium mainly consist of elongation and vacuolation of columnar cells, increased secretory activity of columnar cells, sloughing off of the apical region of the columnar cells into the lumen and lysis of the sloughed off portion of the epithelium in the lumen. Since these botanicals cause disruptive changes they can be employed for the management of this pest.