Insecticidal activity and possible modes of action of secondary metabolites of some fungal strains and wild plants as natural pesticides against Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract Background The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda , is an invasive and destructive pest to certain strategic crops, especially maize in Egypt. This research was conducted mainly to obtain secondary metabolites from some wild plants and fungal strains, use them in controlling FAW, and investigate their mode of action. Results The ethyl acetate extracts of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Verticillium lecanii , as well as the alkaloid extracts of Ricinus communis and Nicotiana glauca , were extracted to obtain their secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolite contents were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and NMR. The toxicity of all extracts against the 3rd-instar larvae of FAW was evaluated. The possible mode of action of the extracts was studied via their effects on larval enzyme activities and larval tissue. The toxicity results illustrated that, the extract of C. cladosporioides was more effective with LC 50 229 ppm, followed by the extract of V. lecanii with LC 50 341 ppm and N. glauca with LC 50 404 ppm, while the least effective extract was R. communis with LC 50 1110 ppm after 72 h of treatment. While, the results of larval enzyme activities showed that C. cladosporioides , V. lecanii, and R. communis extracts led to significant activity of AST, ALT, ACP, and ALP enzymes, but GST and AchE were inhibited in treated larvae compared with control. While N. glauca alkaloid extract caused significant inhibition of AST, ALT, ACP, AchE, and GST enzymes, ALP was activated in the treated larvae compared with control. The results of larval tissue slides indicated that the most affected tissues were the cuticle layer and the membrane lining of the midgut, in addition to the fatty bodies. Conclusion Thus, natural pesticides would have a promising role in terms of controlling the FAW and according to this study, it was recommended that, alkaloid extracts of tested wild plants and ethyl acetate extracts of fungal strains be used as natural pesticides to control the fall armyworm, S. frugiperda .