Chronic activity of plant volatiles essential oils in management of rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

摘要

Stored food faces severe damage due to infestation by insects. The essential oils extracted from leaves of Aegle marmelos, Mentha arvensis, peels of Citrus reticulata and clove of Syzygium aromaticum by hydrodistillation method were screened as fumigant for chronic activity against rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in laboratory assay. All four essential oils showed chronic activity in a dose dependent manner. Fumigation with sub-lethal concentration of essential oils significantly (p<0.01) reduced oviposition capasity and exhibited ovicidal activity. Highest reduction in oviposition (35.66%) and feeding deterrence index (74.52%) observed in A. marmelos essential oils against S. oryzae in comparison to control groups. These studies showed strong insecticidal activity of all four essential oils and its potential role as a fumigant against S. oryzae. From this study it is concluded that these essential oils have potential for application in Insect Pest Management programs for stored-grain insect pests because of its fumigant action.