Histoarchitechtural Alterations In The Midgut Tissues Of Fourth Instar Larvae Of Grampod Borer Helicoverpa Armigera (Hub) Fed With Leaf Extract Of Plant Lantana Camara (L)

Abstract

The gram pod borer  Helicoverpa armigera(Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important notorious pest of more than 100 cultivated and wild plants all over the world. Switching off of pest control strategies from chemical to biological using microbial and herbal biopesticides are becoming more viable due to their sustainability in the environment. In the present study,  ethanolic leaf extracts  were fed to  fifth instar larvae and the process of infections were assessed on the basis of morphological changes followed by alteration  in  the midgut tissues. The treated larvae showed sluggishness,cessation of feeding and gradual shrinking of larval body leading to death at last.The midgut tissues were completely distrophied with thin and feeble architecture.Columnar epithelial cells became shrunken with atrophied nuclei.Peritrophic membrane became merged with midgut tissues allowing tissues ooze to mingle with the lumen.Ultimately, only some cytoplasmic residues were left in the cavity.Thus, plant  leaf showed its potential   in  controlling  notorious pest by exerting its effect on  the feeding process of the insects.