Effect of seed extracts of five indigenous plants against the stored product Moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Studies on the control of Ephestia cautella with oil of Capsicum frutescens, Anacardium occidentale, Monodora tenuifolia, Xylopia aethiopica, and Ricinus communis were carried out in the laboratory at ambient temperature of 28 ± 2 °C and relative humidity of 78 ± 5%.The extracts were studied at 0.5 ml and 1.0 ml dosages against the egg, larvae, and adult of E. cautella. Results showed that oil of A. occidentale was more effective than other extracts as it effects up to 76.65 and 90.00% adult mortality of the moth at 0.5 and 1.0 ml, respectively. In addition, only the oil of A. occidentale and C. frutescens was able to effect more than 50% larvae mortality within 96 h of exposure at 1.0 ml dosage. However, R. communis showed the greatest effect on hatchability of E. cautella eggs but its effect was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from that of A. occidentale and C. frutescens oil. Moreover, only the oils of C. frutescens, A. occidentale, and R. communis were able to prevent the adult emergence of the moth but their effect was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from other oils. Therefore, due to the effectiveness of these oil extracts on different life stages of E. cautella, they could be recommended for the management of this insect pest. Moreover, to achieve more effective control over this moth, oil of A. occidentale could be used since it appeared to be most effective and consistence in its action against different life stages of the moth.