EFFECT OF PLANT DERIVATIVES ON FEEDING AND MORTALITY OF GRAPEVINE FLEA BEETLE Scelodonta strigicollis L. (EUMOLPIDAE COLEOPTERA)

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of water extracts of neem seed and neem cake (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), pungam seed (Pongamia glabra Vent), pinnai seed (Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.) and illupai seed (Basia latifolia) Boxb. at 1 and 2 per cent concentrations on the feeding activity and mortality of grape flea beetle, Scelodonta strigicollis L. Two per cent neem seed extract was found to be the best in deterring the feeding activity which recorded the lowest area of feeding (16.7 mm²) followed by 2 per cent pungam seed extract (20.3 mm²). The highest mortality (67.2%) was recorded in pungam seed extract 2 per cent followed by neem seed extract 2 per cent (58.8%).