Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Insecticidal activity of leafy liverworts, Heteroscyphus hyalinus (Steph.) A. Srivast. & S.C. Srivast. and Plagiochila asplenioides (L.) Dum. against, Sitophilus granarius Linn. - a common wheat weevil
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Research Articles | Published: 26 June, 2025
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Keywords: Antifeedant activity, Bio pesticides, Insecticidal, Leafy liverworts, Repellence
Abstract
In the present study, two leafy liverworts, Heteroscyphus hyalinus (Steph.) A. Srivast. & S.C. Srivast. and Plagiochila asplenioides (L.) Dum., from the Kumaun region of the North-West Himalayas, were selected to evaluate their insecticidal activity against an insect, Sitophilus granarius Linn., commonly known as the wheat weevil. The insecticidal potential was evaluated by using the Area Preference Method, No Choice Bioassay, and Antifeedant activity. An ANOVA test was applied using SPSS software for the analysis of insect repellency and mortality. The ethanolic extract of H. hyalinus showed a maximum percent (60 ± 4.05%) repellency, which falls under class III, with the maximum percent mortality of (80 ± 0.57%), whereas P. asplenioides showed a maximum percent (68.6 ± 0.07%) antifeedant activity. This study is the first experimental investigation into the insecticidal activities of Himalayan bryophytes. The present study suggests that these liverworts may serve as potential bio-insecticides, but future research is needed to confirm their practical applications.
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Author Information
Department of Botany, Indira Priyadarshini Govt. Girls P.G. College of Commerce, Haldwani, Nainital, India