Assessment of adiantum incisum,alternanthera pungens and trichodesma indicum as bio-insecticides against stored grain pests

This study investigated the insecticidal potential of adiantum incisum forssk (pteridaceae),alternanthera pungens kunth (amaranthaceae) and trichodesma indicum l. (boraginaceae). aqueous,methanolic and n-hexane extracts of whole plants (roots,stem and leaves) were prepared using maceration technique. insecticidal activities of aqueous,methanolic and n-hexane extracts of three plants (10,20 and 30 mg/ml) were evaluated by impregnated filter paper insecticidal assay. methanol and hexane extracts of adiantum incisum gave effective ld50 (15.3 mg/ml) against callosobruchus chinensis and sitophilus oryzae (ld5022 mg/ml) after 24 hours respectively. present research elucidates the important phytochemicals (alkaloids,saponins and tannins) in three plants by ftir and good insecticidal activity (ld50 < 25 mg/ ml in 24 hours) against callosobruchus chinensis and sitophilus oryzae. current study promotes further investigations for using these plant extracts as anti-feedants,repellents,fumigants and formulation of nontoxic bio-insecticides. © pakistan academy of sciences.