The toxicity and behavioural effects of neem limonoids on Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), the rice leaffolder

Meliaceae plant products have been shown to exert pesticidal properties against a variety of insect species. In agricultural pest control programs, such products may have the potential to be used successfully as botanical insecticides. The effect of the neem (Azadirachta indica) limonoids azadirachtin, salannin, deacetylgedunin, gedunin, 17-hydroxyazadiradione and deacetylnimbin on the biology and mortality of rice leaffolder larvae was investigated. In laboratory experiments, treatment with neem limonoids suppressed leaf folding behaviour of C. medinalis. Biological parameters (larval duration, pupal duration adult longevity and fecundity) were also affected by the treatment. Azadirachtin, salannin, and deacetylgedunin showed high bioactivity at all doses, while the rest of the neem limonoids were less active, and were only biologically active at high doses. Azadirachtin was most potent in all experiments and produced almost 100% larval mortality at 1 ppm concentration. These results indicate neem limonoids affect the larval behaviour. These effects are most pronounced in early instars.