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The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly destructive and polyphagous pest that has developed resistance to several classes of synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the insecticidal and antifeedant activities of Cyperus rotundus extracts against S. frugiperda larvae and aimed to identify bioactive compounds with potential for development as botanical insecticides. Among the tested solvent fractions, the dichloromethane extract (LD₅₀ = 4.58 μg/larva) and the isolated compound cadalene (LD₅₀ = 4.12 μg/larva) exhibited insecticidal activity against S. frugiperda larvae. The positive control cypermethrin showed an LD₅₀ value of 0.01 μg/larva, indicating that cadalene exhibited notable toxicity relative to the conventional insecticide. Enzyme assays revealed significant inhibition of carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase activities, suggesting interference with detoxification pathways. Chromatographic analysis identified cadalene as the bioactive compound. In feeding assays, the hexane extract exhibited the strongest antifeedant activity, with an FI₅₀ value of 17.13 µg/cm² at 2 h post-treatment. Larvae feeding on treated diets showed delayed development and increased mortality. These findings highlight the potential of compounds derived from C. rotundus as promising plant-based candidates for the development of botanical insecticides for sustainable pest management.
Tipsut et al. (Fri,) studied this question.