Antifeeding and insect-growth-regulating activity of certain metal complexes towards Spodoptera litura; F.

Metal complexes of divalent cobalt, nickel and copper and trivalent iron were synthesized using N-salicylidene-3-aminocoumarin as chelating agent. The ligand behaves as a monobasic ONO donor towards Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) and as an ON as well as an ONO donor towards Fe(III). All the complexes have been proposed to have octahedral geometry on the basis of analytical, thermal conductivity, spectral and magnetic data. The complexes have been screened against Spodoptera litura; F (Lepidoptera: noctuiidae) for antifeeding and insect-growth-regulating activity. The results show appreciable insect-growth-regulating activity associated with metal complexation.