The objective of the present study was to evaluate the larvicidal potential of the α-amylase inhibitor from the seeds of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. against Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae. Macrotyloma uniflorum α-amylase inhibitor (MUAI) was partially purified using ion exchange chromatography on a carboxymethyl cellulose column. MUAI at concentrations of 20, 60, 100 and 200 ppm was tested against different instar larvae, pupae and adults of A. aegypti to establish its bioefficacy. MUAI showed a strong larvicidal and a moderate adulticidal effect at a concentration of 200 ppm but did not exhibit pupicidal and ovicidal activities. MUAI-treated larvae showed lower α-amylase activity. MUAI also exhibited ovipositional deterrence activity. Dose-dependent mortality was observed, being highest in the first and second instar larvae. The results thus obtained provide a safe and eco-friendly means in the biological control of A. aegypti larvae.

After oviposition, females of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann deposit a host-marking pheromone on the fruit surface that deters oviposition by conspecifics. Methanolic extracts of fruit fly faeces elicit a similar deterrent effect. The results of laboratory and field experiments using raw methanolic extracts of C. capitata faeces as an oviposition deterrent are reported. Laboratory bioassays revealed a significant positive relationship between concentration of faeces and the inhibition of oviposition responses by C. capitata. Treatment of halves of coffee bushes with methanolic extracts containing 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg faeces ml−1 resulted in a significant reduction of infestation only at the highest concentration (P = 0.03). Treatment of blocks of coffee bushes with an extract of 10 mg faeces ml−1 resulted in an 84%reduction in infestation by C. capitata in sprayed plants and a 56% reduction in adjacent untreated coffee bushes surrounding treated plots, probably due to the deterrent effect of host-marking pheromone on fly oviposition. We conclude that faeces contain oviposition deterrent substances that effectively reduce fruit infestations by C. capitata, suggesting a clear potential for the use of this infochemical in integrated management programmes targeted at this pest.

The effects of four different neem formulations (Neemros®, Neemroc EC®, Neemroc Combi and Saroneem) and a combination of Neemros® with a synthetic acaricide (Mitac®) on the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) were compared with Mitac® on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaf discs in the laboratory, The following LC50 were determined: Neemroc EC® 12.9 ml/1, Saroneem 5.8 ml/1, Neemroc Combi 1.0 ml/1 and Mitac® + Neemros® 1 ml/1 + 17.6 g/1. No LC50 was determined for Neemros® since the highest mortality observed was 11.4 %. The combination of Mitac® and Neemros® resulted in the highest mortality after 24 hours (83.3 %), followed by Neemroc EC® (78.3 %), Saroneem (53.4 %), Mitac® (50.8 %), Neemroc Combi (38.9 %), the control (4.5 %) and Neemros® (0.0 %). All neem formulations also caused repellence and oviposition deterrence in T. urticae.

The fumigant toxicity, ovicidal and oviposition-deterrent potential of the essential oil of Indian dill, Anethum sowa and its three major fractions against the grain beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on chickpea were investigated. Two fractions produced 100% mortality of adult beetles at 3.0 μl/ml dosage, whereas the essential oil was the least effective. Fraction III was 100% ovicidal at a 70 μl/ml concentration. The essential oil and fraction III both completely deterred oviposition at the lowest concentration tested, 10 μl/ml. Neither the essential oil nor its fractions had any significant effect on chickpea seed germination.

Crude fractions of aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) (Acanthaceae) were evaluated for antifeedant, growth-inhibitory and oviposition-deterrent activity against larval and adult stages of the Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilarctia obliqua (Arctiidae). The methanol fraction had the highest growth-inhibitory activity. Further fractionation resulted in nine sub-fractions of which the most active, identified as the diterpene andrographolide, displayed significant growth-inhibitory and antifeedant properties with GI50 and FD50 values of 100.4 and 159.7 μg/g diet respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction possessed the highest oviposition-deterrent activity.