Abstract

PANIGRAHI, A.  and  RAUT, S. K.. Thevetia peruviana (Family: Apocynaceae) in the control of slug and snail pests. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz [online]. 1994, vol.89, n.2, pp. 247-250. ISSN 0074-0276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02761994000200024.

An aqueous extract prepared from Kernels of the fruit of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schumann (Family : Apocynaceae) was found under experimental conditions, to be toxic ti the slug Laevicaulis alte (Férussac) and the snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, the important agrihorticultural pests of Indo-Pacific countries. Concentrations as low as 1% (w/v) killed all the slugs exposed in less than 981.00 (± SD 22.76) min, and 2% of the extract killed 100% of the slugs L. alte and 50%, 50% and 30% of the snail A. fulica in between 92.34 (± SD 6.63) - 321.33 (± SD 4.14) and 271.20 (± SD 17.54) - 298.26 (± SD 16.69) min respectively. The most effective concentration of the extract was 20%; it killed 100% of exposed slugs and snails within a short time (40-50 and 90-1440 min respectively) when the extract was exposed on the soil in experimental trays or when it was applied to potato slices offered as food to the gastropods.

Keywords : Thevetia peruviana; fruit kernel extract; pest control; slugs; snails.