Antifeedant and toxicity effect of Citronella Essential Oil against Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith Larvae
Shahabuddin Saleh (1*), Flora Pasaru (1), Moh. Hibban Toana (1), Hasriyanty (1), Muh. Syair (2), Arum S. Wangi (2)

1) Agrotecnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tadulako University, Palu, 94118 Indonesia
*shahabsaleh[at]gmail.com
2) Student of Agrotecnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tadulako University, Palu, 94118 Indonesia

Abstract

Maize cultivation in Indonesia is under threat from a new invasive pest, namely Spodoptera frugiperda or Fall armyworm (FAW). The use of botanical insecticides is one that is recommended for controlling this pest because it is environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the feeding inhibition and toxicity of Cymbopogon nardus or citronella essential oil (CEO) on the FAW larvae. The CEO with different concentrations: 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% effect, control was tested on the third instar FAW larvae at the Plant Protection Laboratory of Tadulako University. The feeding inhibition was tested using the choice method. The larval mortality was observed at 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours after treatment then perform the probit analysis to determine its toxicity. Furthermore, observations were made on the morphology and development of the larvae until they became pupae. The results revealed that CEO has low antifeedant activity but it has high toxicity to FAW larvae as indicated by the increasing larval mortality and reduction in larval survival until pupae following the increase of CEO concentration. This study indicates that citronella oil has a high larvicidal effect and potentially use as a botanical insecticide for FAW control.

Keywords: botanical insecticide, lemongrass oil, invasive pest, maize

Topic: Agriculture Productivity