ABSTRACT:

                            The extracts derived from mature seeds of Ocimum basilicum, Butea monosperma and Gynandrosis gynandra, flowers of Butea monosprma and rhizome of Acorus calmus were evaluated for reducing offsprings against different species of cockroach viz. Periplaneta Americana, Blatella germanica and Supell supellectilium. In the present study, the various extracts (rhizome, flowers and seeds) were assessed by mixing the suspensions as well as powered plant materials with the diet. Cockroaches were fed on these treated diets from the newly moulted adult stages. The extracts of Acorus caslmus, Butea monosperma and Ocimum basilicum proved very effective to control the population of cockroach. In all the cases, the extracts showed higher percent of sterlity (81-100%) against Americana, Blatella germanica and Supell supellectilium except Ocimum basilicum and Gynandrosis gynandra which were ineffective to check the growth of the cockroach. This study indicates the potential of extracts to be used as an alternative in developing and producing chemosterilants as an effective measure used in controlling and eradicating the cockroach population.

KEYWORDS: Chemosterilant, Nymph, Ocimum basilicum, Butea monosperma and Gynandrosis gynandra