Bio-efficacy of Solanum torvum (Sw.) against agricultural pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The antifeedant, larvicidal and histological effects of Solanum torvum leaf extracts were investigated against Spodoptera litura. The study found that the ethyl acetate leaf extract showed a significant antifeedant effect against S. litura of (86.16%) at 5%, followed by SNP (Solanum torvum based silver nanoparticles synthesis) showed the a good antifeedant activity of 61.33% at 600 ppm. Ethyl acetate extract showed a larvicidal activity against S. litura of 88.21% and the LC50 value was 2.05%. Exposure of larvae to ethyl acetate leaf extract resulted in significant histological damage, particularly affecting epithelial, goblet and digestive cells. The results suggest that the inclusion of these plant extracts in integrated pest management approaches can promote sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control methods in agriculture.