EFFECT OF BUXUS CHINENSIS, DIPEL 2X AND NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS (NPV) MIXTURE ON SOME BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF COTTON LEAFWORM SPODOPTERA LITTORALIS.

Effects of Buxus chinensis extract, Bacillus thuringiensis and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) mixture on certain biological aspects of Spodoptera littoraUs were studied against the 2^nd and 4^th larval instars of S. littoralis. The mixture of the three compounds was the most toxic against the 2^nd and 4^th instar larve, where it caused high percentage of mortality, while 8. thuringiensis (Dipel 2x) and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) mixture induced a slight effect against the 2^nd and 4^th instars. Regarding the ethanolic extract of Buxus chinensis leaves, it was more effective than 8. thuringiensis (Dipel 2x) or nuclear polyhedrosis virus(NPV) in respect of pupal mortality and larval, pupal and adult duration. This plant extract also reduced the fecundity and fertility of females emerged from the treated larvae of S. littoralis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]