Insecticidal and repellant activities of plants oil against stored grain pest, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present investigation was aimed to assess the impact of five plants oil for their insecticidal and repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), a stored grain pest and they were tested in the laboratory. MethodFive plants oil Citrus autantium, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Lavandula officinalis, and Ocimum sanctum were evaluated for their insecticidal and repellent activities against T. castaneum by adapting the standard protocol in vitro. ResultsIn Tulsi oil showed powerful repellent against T. castaneum beetles at both the concentration and this property can be clearly seen from the values at 5μ1 (−0.60 and −0.73 in 1h and 6hr respectively) and 10μ1 (−0.56 and −0.81 in 1h and 6h respectively). Tulsi oil had more repelling property than other oil tested here against T. castaneum. Maximum percentage of mortality (76 and 92% at 48h and 72 hours after treatment respectively) in Tulsi oil. Wintergreen oil showed 86% mortality at 72 hours after treatment. ConclusionsThe present work for botanical products to control the insect pest of stored grain T. castaneum. These results suggest the presence of actives principles in the plant oils. Further exploration of active principles and their structural elucidations are underway.