Synergistic activities of plant extracts on a polyphagous lepidopteran pest, Euproctis fraterna.

The use of insecticidal synergist has permitted continued use of insecticid es for which insects have developed resistance and has provided clues to th e mode of detoxification of insecticides. The indigenous plants used in thi s study are perennially available in large quantities in Tamil Nadu. Since the cost involved in the preparation of these extracts is also very minimal , their use in insect-pest control operation is economical without pollutin g the environment. It is suggestd to use the insecticides in minimum dose i n combination with plant extracts as effective synergistic agents because t he presence of plant products generally prevents the detoxification of inse cticides.