Insecticidal effect of six native medicinal plants essential oil on Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lep.: Pyralidae)

Abstract :

The essential oils are considered powerful source of natural derivatives useful against stored product pests; they are as new control strategies. In this research it was investigated fumigant toxicity of six essential oils from Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperata L., Petroselinum sativum Hoffmann, Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam., and Artemisia dracunculus L., on first instar larvae and eggs, ovipositional deterrency of Plodia interpunctella Hübner. LC50 values were determined. Ovicidal activity was assessed in Petri dishes on one-day old eggs that exposures three concentrations as 3, 12 and 24 micro liter essential oil per liter air. For studying effect of essential oils on oviposition deterrence one pair of new emergence adult were exposured by 2 µl essential oil. LC50s were between 5 to 10 µl/l and Z. clinopodioides had most ovicidal activity. Increasing concentrations increased activity of essential oils. The least oviposited eggs have been observed in L. angustifolia, M. piperata and Z. clinopodioides. These results showed that L. angustifolia, and Z. clinopodioides had more ovicide and egg deterrence effect for this pest. The essential oils investigated in this study are used as pharmaceuticals and in flavoring. They are considered because they are less harmful to humans than most synthetic insecticides


Keyword :

Essential oil, Plodia interpunctella, Insecticidal effect


Author(s) : Rafiei-Karahroodi, Z., Moharramipour, S., Farazmand, H., Karimzadeh-Esfahani, J.
Downloads : 2108
Published Issue : 2011 Vol. 6 Number 1


2011 Vol. 6 Number 1