Behavioral and antibiosis effects of non-edible seed oils and essential oils on the brown plant hopper, Nilaparvata lugens (stal)

Abstract

The brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stal) is a key sap-sucking pest of rice, responsible for severe yield losses due to feeding damage and hopper burn. The present investigation was conducted to study the behavioral responses and antibiosis effects of selected essential oils and non-edible seed oils against N. lugens. Repellency or attractancy responses were assessed using a six-arm olfactometer, while feeding deterrence was evaluated through probing mark tests on TN1 rice seedlings. Essential oils tested included eucalyptus, cedarwood, lemongrass, citronella, and camphor, whereas non-edible seed oils comprised neem, pongamia, jatropha, mahua, and annona. Results revealed that neem oil among non-edible seed oils and eucalyptus oil among essential oils were least preferred by brown plant hopper adults, indicating strong repellent activity. Neem oil induced the highest number of probing marks, suggesting pronounced antifeedant and antibiosis effects. Essential oils also significantly altered probing behavior compared to the control. The study demonstrates that plant-derived oils can disrupt host selection and feeding behavior of N. lugens and may serve as eco-friendly alternatives for inclusion in integrated pest management programs in rice.