Botanical extracts influence the protein and free amino acid concentration of fat body in the mango leaf webber Orthaga exvinacea Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Orthaga exvinacea isrna major defoliator of mango trees causing reduction in crop yield. Consideringrnthe importance of the pest a study was initiated to control the particular pestrnusing botanicals. Evaluation of the potential of methanolic leaf extracts of Hyptisrnsuaveolens and Vitex negundo was done on protein and amino acidrnconcentration in fat body of Orthaga exvinacea under laboratoryrnconditions. Botanical and methanol treated mango leaves were used for feedingrnexperimental and control larvae respectively. Compared with Control, the meanrnvalues of the total fat body protein and amino acid were reduced in larvaerntreated with both plant extracts. A significant decrease was observed in fatrnbody protein and amino acid contents of larvae treated with Vitex negundo,rnat the highest dose of 5%. Since both botanicals can effectively reduce fatrnbody protein and amino acid content it will add a new spectrum in the controlrnmeasures of Orthaga exvinacea.