Biological activity of extracts of Tephrosia nubica (Boiss) Baker against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) and Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.)

Abstract

The biological activity of Tephrosia nubica extracts was tested against the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis and greasy cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon. The methanolic and chloroformic extracts induced serious  chronic effects on the larvae, pupae and adults. They reduced percentages of pupation and moths emergence, prolonged larval and pupal periods, caused reductions in egg production and egg hatchability and increased  percentage of sterility. Phytochemical, chromatographic and spectral analysts of the methanolic extract, which  was the most effective one, revealed the presence of three flavonoidal glycosides (kaemferol 3,7-dirhamnoside,  quercetin 3-galactoside 7- rhamnoside and quercetin 3,7-dirhamnoside), rotenones and deguelin. However, four  prenylated flavones (semiglabrin, Pseudosemiglabrin, apollinine and lanceolatin A) were isolated from the chloroformic extract.