Effect of Indian Camphorweed (Pluchea indica) Leaves Ethanol Extract on rd3 Instar Larva Spodoptera litura Mortality

Abstract

Spodoptera litura, known as the tobacco cutworm or oriental leafworm moth, is a highly destructive, polyphagous pest that attacks over 250 crops, causing significant damage to leaves and making it a serious threat across Asia, Oceania, and Africa. To control the population of this species, the use of insecticides of plant origin is worth considering.  Pluchea indica is a species known to contain secondary metabolites with insecticide properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of ethanol extract of indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica) leaves on ^rd3 instar larva Spodoptera litura mortality. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 6 concentrations of indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica) leaves ethanol extract, namely, 0, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 ppm. Each treatment used 7 larvae with 5 repetitions. The mortality of larvae was observed for a 24-hour period by counting the number of ^nd2 instar larvae that died after having been treated.  All data collected were analyzed with One-Way ANOVA. Statistical analysis showed that the ethanol extract of beluntas leaves significantly increases the ^nd2 instar larvae of S. litura mortality by 60.0% at a concentration of 500 ppm.