The objective of this study was to quantify condensed tannins present in the stem bark of Ochroma pyramidalis (Bombacaceae), Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Fabaceae) and Peltophorum dubium (Fabaceae) and to verify the effect of tannic fractions of these species on biological and nutritional parameters of S. frugiperda. Extracts were prepared from the barks of the plant species and aliquots were taken from them to quantify the tannins. The extracts were then submitted to fractionation to obtain the tannic fractions, which ones were incorporated into an artificial diet and offered to the larvae of S. frugiperda. All the studied species showed condensed tannins, and S. terebinthifolius showed the lowest amount of these compounds. The tannin fraction of P. dubium caused a reduction in the weight of larvae and pupae, decreased the survival of S. frugiperda during the larval and pupal stages and led to a reduction of intake, beyond to extend the duration of immature stages of this insect. The treatment with S. terebinthifolius caused a reduction in the survival percentage during the pupal stage. Pupae from larvae that received the treatment with the fraction of E. contortisiliquum had an increase in its development period stage. Larvae fed with the fraction from P. dubium showed the lowest relative growth rate (RGR), lower efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and a higher metabolic cost (CM). The approximate digestibility (AD) was higher for the treatments with tannic fractions of P. dubium and S. terebinthifolius.
Armyworm; condensed tannins; natural products; control
