Activity of Four Salvia Species against Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Chloroform extracts from the aerial parts of four species of medicinal plants of the genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) were tested for insectistatic and insecticidal activities against the life cycle of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). All extracts showed both activities. Extracts from Salvia microphylla Kunth and Salvia connivens Epling had high insecticidal activity (LV50 916 and 936 ppm, respectively), and Salvia keerlii Benth., and Salvia ballotiflora Benth., had moderate insecticidal activity (LV50 1,527 and 1,685 ppm, respectively). S. connivens had the best insectistatic activity (at 1,000 ppm). This extract prolonged the larval and pupal phases by 7.6 and 3.4 days, respectively, and decreased the pupal weight 30.4%. S. microphylla extract increased the larval and pupal phases by 6.5 and 2.9 days, respectively, and reduced the pupal weight 25.3%. S. keerlii extract increased the larval and pupal phases by 4.9 and 3.1 days, respectively, and decreased the pupal weight 16.4%, and the S. ballotiflora extract increased the larval and pupal phases by 5.2 and 2.9 days, respectively, and reduced the pupal weight 13.2%. These results indicated that, because of their insecticidal and insectistatic activities, these extracts may be used to control fall armyworm.