Insecticidal and antifeedant properties of methanolic extract of Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod on Plutella xylostella L.

The Diamond back moth Plutella xylostella L. is one of the major pests of plants in Brassicaceae that has become resistant to many insecticides. In recent years، plant secondary metabolites play an important role in controlling pests because of their insecticidal and antifeedant properties. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of methanolic extracts of Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) on diamondback moth third instar larvae. Findings showed significant increase in mortality as concentrations increased، so that، concentrations to cause 25% (LC25) and 50% (LC50) mortality in population were 12. 01% and 28. 58%، respectively. In this research، the effect of sublethal concentration of methanolic extract was studied on demography parameters such as life table، reproductive and population of P. xylostella. The obtained results showed that different concentration had a significant effect on the duration of different life stage، fecundity and adult longevity. Data analysis demonstrated that increased concentration decreased the net reproductive rate (R0)، intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm)، finite rate of increase (λ) but increased mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) significantly. These findings indicate that M. struthiopteris has the potential to be used as a reliable method in integrated management of this pest.