ANJU BASERA AND R.P. SRIVASTAVA

A study on aqueous leaf extracts (conc. 1%, dry wt. basis) of nine medicinal plants for their antifeedant activity and their effect on growth, development and economic parameters of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. C. benedictus and J. curcas exhibited highest antifeedant activity and the lowest activity was observed in S. media and P. ovata, the values being 51.18, 27.32 and –4.12, –3.47%, respectively over control. Further studies revealed higher larval weight gain in S. media (0.122g) and P. ovata (0.113g) over control (0.112); less terminal larval mortality in S. media (3.3%) and P. ovata (36.6%) over control; reduction in larval period in S. media (28.23 d) over control (29.30 d) and higher percent pupation and adult emergence in S. media. The cocoon weight was highest in S. media and P. ovata over control. The present investigation revealed the presence of feeding stimulatory and growth promoting factors in the two medicinal plant species, S. media and
P. ovata.