Efficacy of crude seed extracts of Annona squamosa against diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella L. in the greenhouse

Experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of crude seed extracts of Annona squamosa collected from Ambon (Maluku, Indonesia) against larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., feeding on cabbage. Three greenhouse trials were carried out using aqueous seed extracts and an aqueous emulsion of ethanolic seed extracts. At a concentration of 0.5% (w/v), an aqueous emulsion of an ethanolic seed extract was 2.5 fold more effective than 1% rotenone, a commercial botanical insecticide. Crude aqueous seed extracts showed efficacy comparable to pyrethrum, the most widely used botanical insecticide. Seed extract of A. squamosa is a promising candidate for development as a simple botanical insecticide for local use in rural Indonesia.