NATURAL PESTICIDES
By
Dr. K. Shalini M.Pharm., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacognosy
SRM College of Pharmacy
SRM Institute of Science and
Technology
PEST
Pest is any animal, plant or micro – organism that causes trouble, injuries (Economic damage) or
destruction to plants or crops.The common pests includes Insects, bacteria, fungi, rats (rodents) and
weeds.
PESTICIDE
A pesticide is any toxic substance used to kill animals or plants that causes economic damage to crop
or ornamental plants.
METHODS OF PEST CONTROL - There are two methods available for the control of pest.
1. Natural control
2. Artificial control
Natural control
Topographical influence of the seasons changes, changing temperatures, rainfall,
soil, atmospheric humidity and other natural factors also shows their effect on insects.
Artifical control
Artificial control of pest have been developed by man. These methods can be
categorized as Mechanical, Agricultural, Chemical and Biological methods.
Mechanical control
By using manual labour as well as mechanical devices for collection or destruction
of pest. like hand picking, burning, trapping are employed for the destruction of eggs,
larvae and adult insects.
Agriculture control:
It is the oldest method. It includes deep ploughing for eradication of weeds and early
stages of insects.
Alternative crop rotation of changing environmental conditions are some methods
which lead to obstruction of the life cycle of pests.
Chemical control:
Chemical agents are used for killing pests or for protecting crops, animals or other
properties against the attack of the pest. Like DDT, BHC, Alderin, Endrin.
Biological control:
Biological control by using plant or animal materials for controlling many harmful
pests • Like insect hormones (Ecdysone and Juvenile) • Insects are eaten by birds.
Classification of pesticides
Pesticides are classified according to the pest they control
• Insecticides (Ants, moths, cockroaches)
• Herbicides (Weeds)
• Fungicides (Control fungal diseases)
• Rodenticides (Rats)
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF PESTICIDES
Pesticides can act on pests by the following mechanisms
Stomach poisons:
Kill by being taken into stomach, absorbed in the blood and leads to the death of the pest
due to the toxic action.
Contact insecticides:
Kill by direct or indirect contact with the insect or sometimes it penetrates inside the
body and causes oxidation and suffocates the insect.
Fumigants:
Can be applied only in enclosed areas where it surrounds the insect, enters their
breathing pores and kills them.
PYRETHRUM
Synonyms
Natural pyrethrum, insect flowers.
Biological source
Pyrethrum consists of more or less fully
expanded flower heads of Chrysanthenium
cinerarifolium, belonging to the family Compositae.
Chemical constituents
Active constituents are Pyrethrins, which are
organic esters, chemicals made up of carboxylic
acid and keto alcohols. The main constituents are
Pyrethrin I and II. It also contains Cinerin I and II,
Jasmoline I and II.
I.P. Standards
i) Pyrethrum should contain not more than 5% of naturally adhering stems
ii) Ash: Not more than 8%
iii) Acid insoluble ash - Not more than 1%
Uses
• Pyrethrum is used as an insecticide. It acts as a Contact poison, It paralyses the
insect in short time, it is used in the form of wettable powder, emulsion
concentrate, kerosene solution (20% of pyrethrins). Many a time, pyrethrum
extract is mixed with other insecticides like DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-
ethane), sulfoxides etc which increases the action of pyrethrum.
tobacco
Synonym - Tamaku
Biological Source: Tobacco consists of the dried leaves of Nicotiana tobacum and
Nicotiana rustica belonging to the family Solanaceae.
Chemical constituents
• It contains pyridine alkaloids. The main constituent is Nicotine, Nicotyrine,
Nicotimine, Anabasine, Anatabine.
• It also contains carbohydrates – Sucrose, starch, pectin, cellulose, lignins and
pentoses.
Uses:
Sedative, Antispasmodic, Veterinary anthelmintic.
Useful in smoking and agriculture insecticide.
Manufacture of nicotinic acid and nicotinamides.
NEEM
• Synonym: Hindi- Nim, Malayalam- Veppa
• Biological source: It consists of fresh leaves of the plant known as Azadirachta
indica Family: Meliaceae
• Chemical constituents: It contains bitter principle Nimbidin, complex liminoid
compound named azadirachtin, meliantrol and salanin etc.
• Uses: The bark of neem tree is a good bitter tonic, used in malarial fever, and in
skin diseases, used as an insect repellent. Insecticide, nematicide and
antimicrobial properties. Seed oil possesses spermicidal activity.
DERRIS
• Biological source: It consists of dried roots and rhizomes of Derris elliptica
and Derris malaccensis.
• Family: Leguminosae
• Chemical constituents: It contains isoflavonoid derivatives namely
Rotenone, Tephrosin, Toxicarol, Degnelin.
• Uses: Contact poison. Used in the form of spray for killing vegetable insects
during harvesting time such as leaf hopper.
sabadilla
Biological source: It consists of dried ripe seeds of Schoenocaulon officinale.
Family: Liliaceae
Chemical constituents: It contains Sabadine, Cevadine (Veratrine),
Eratridine, Sabadilline and Cavadine.
Uses: It is an insecticide used to kill house flies and bugs in the form of spray
or dust.
RYANIA
Biological source:
It consists of dried roots and stems of Ryania speciosa belonging, to the family
Flacourtiaceae.
Chentical constituents
It contains an alkaloid known as ryanodine.
Uses
Used as an Insecticide
NUXVOMICA
Biological source - Nuxvomica consists of the dried, ripe seeds of Strychnos nuxvomica
belonging, to the family Loganiaceae. It contains not less than 1.2% of strychnine.
Chemical constituents - It conatins about 1-5% of bitter alkaloids (Indole alkaloids).
The chief constituents of alkaloids are Strychnine, Brucine, vomicine, pseudo
strychinine, a monoterpene glycoside known as loganin and 2 to 4% of fixed oils.
Uses - It is used as a spinal cord stimulant in cases of neurasthenia (excessive bitter
fatigue of neuroticiorigin). Nux vomica is also used as a circulatory stimulant, Nerve
and sex tonic, bitter Stomachic (strengthening of stomach and promoting its action).
