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In the present study the fern Chrystella parasitica (L.) Khun (Deunstaedtiaceae : Pteridophyceae) endemic to Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu was screened for its phytochemical constituents and evaluated its pesticidal properties against two lepidopteran pests viz., Spodoptera litura (Fab.) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.). The phytochemical constituents were extracted with two organic solvents such as chloroform and ethanol, then used for the isolation of phytoecdysteroids following the method of CSIRO, Australia. The extracts/fractions those recorded phytoecdysteroids were used for bioefficacy studies. The results of the preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that all the fractions except AF contains steroids. Among the other groups of phytochemicals, saponins and santhoprotiens were recorded in CE, EE and AF fractions and tannins and flavonoids in EE and AF. HPLC results of the phytoecdysone characterization revealed that C. parasitica contains two major phytoecdysteroids α and β–ecdysteroids. It shows α-ecdysone in CE and -ecdysone in EE and CEF fractions. Among the three extracts/ fractions screened for their pesticidal properties, EE recorded highest toxicity against the experimental insects followed by CEF and CE. Comparative studies between the two lepidopterans, H. armigera proved to be more susceptible than S. litura. The different extracts/fractions exerted different levels of impact on these experimental insects, as evident from the percent mortality, larval, pupal and adult developmental period, percent adult emergence, and developmental abonormalities. The deformities include larval-pupal intermediates, short and stumpy wings, retention of larval/pupal exuvia, head capsule etc.
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