Biological activity of select plant and indigenous extracts against diamondback moth, Plutella xyllostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Insecticidal activity of panchagavya, cow urine, dasagavya, chilli + garlic extract, neem fruit + red chilli + custard apple leaf extract and neem seed kernel + Aloe vera + Calotropis + Clerodendron leaf extract were studied against diamondback moth (DBM) and cowpea aphid in laboratory. Highest mortality in DBM and aphids was recorded in neem seed kernel + Aloe vera + Calotropis + Clerodendron leaf extract and neem fruit + red chilli + custard apple leaf extract. The mortality was considerably high in DBM compared to aphids. Panchagavya, cow urine and chilli + garlic extract were comparatively less toxic to aphids and DBM. However, Dasagavya showed moderate toxicity to DBM. Laboratory studies indicated that the products containing neem i.e. neem seed kernel + Aloe vera + Calotropis + Clerodendron leaf extract and neem fruit + red chilli + custard apple leaf extract were more effective in causing mortality to DBM.