Abstract

AbstractAttempts have been made in recent years to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and seek alternative and innovative methods for pest control. We conducted a study on the chemical composition ofEucalyptus occidentalisessential oil and investigated the fumigant, contact and repellent effects againstTribolium castaneum(Herbst) (Col: Tenebrionidae) andRhyzopertha dominica(F.) (Col: Bostrichidae). The major components were τ-cadinol (17.20), 1,8-cineol (15.5%), α-cadinol (14%) and α-pinene (9.21%). The contact toxicity experiment showed that the oil was more toxic toR. dominica(LD50value 0.82 μL/cm) than toT. castaneum(LD50value 0.99 μL/cm) and showed the same fumigant toxicity for both insects according to the 95% confidence limit of LC50. The repellency againstT. castaneumwas more than forR. dominicaand increased from 14 to 75% forR. dominicaand 22 to 78% forT. castaneumafter 2 h. These results suggest thatE. occidentalisessential oil is a potential candidate for use as a natural repellent and insecticide for stored-product insect pests.

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