1Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695004, Kerala, India
2Velu Thampi Memorial Nair Service Society College, Dhanuvachapuram695503, Kerala, India
*Email: gayathrielayidam@vtmnsscollege.ac.in (corresponding author):
Online published on 26 February, 2026.
The present study aims to find the toxicity of ethanol extract of Annona muricata against Leptocorisa oratorius and simultanenously evaluate the enzyme-modulating effect on the insect’s physiology. Mortality in insects induced by ethanol extract was followed by methanol extract and then by aqueous extract in a dose-dependent manner. The plant extract causes 86.72% inhibition of acetylcholine esterase activity and the unit activity of enzyme polyphenol oxidase shows a decrease in pattern as the concentration of plant extract increases. The enzyme acid phosphatases cause slight fluctuations in the activity; however, the catalyze enzyme shows a tremendous increase in the activity as the concentration of ethanol extract of the plant increases. It was concluded that the A. muricata plant extract possess significant insecticidal properties and enzyme modulating effect against L. oratorius.
Gundhi bug, Biopesticide, Toxicity, Sucking pest, Paddy field, Contact toxicity, Insecticide, Bioactive compounds