UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The present investigation is designed and carried out with an objective of pesticidal and larvicidal activity of Citrus aurantium plant volatile oil against the adzuki bean weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus and Aedes aegypti larvae in the laboratory condition. In the present study, the insecticidal activity of C. aurantium was tested against the adults of C. maculatus with different concentrations such as 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/mL. A perusal of the experimental data revealed that the 200 mg/mL concentration of the C. aurantium oil-induced significant mortalities at 24 hrs (82.2%), 48 hrs (84.6%) and 72 Hrs (94.2%). The lethal concentration (LC₅₀ value of 124.09 mg/mL with the LC₉₀ value of 227.88 mg/mL were calculated for 24 hrs. Similarly, the LC₅₀ value of 95.88 mg/mL and the LC₉₀ value of 223.44 mg/mL was calculated for 48 hrs.  In the same way, the LC₅₀ value of 81.01 mg/mL with the LC₉₀ value of 184.64 mg/mL were also recorded for 72 hrs. C. aurantium induced significant larval mortality of 82.6, 86.8 and 90.2% at 24, 48 and 72 hrs exposure period respectively against the experimental larvae of Ae. aegypti at 200 mg/mL concentration.  Whereas, the LC₅₀ values of 116.97 mg/mL was recorded;  LC₉₀ was found to be 234.34 mg/mL for 24 hrs. The LC₅₀ values  of 93.142 mg/mL with the LC₉₀ value of 217.93 mg/mL was calculated for 48 hrs. in the same way, the LC₅₀ values of 81.313 mg/mL and LC₉₀ was found to be 211.52 mg/mL calculated for 72 hrs. A detailed report is given in the manuscript and inferred that the application of plant volatile oil in general C. aurantium, in particular, will be of much use to keep the populations of selected pest and vector in check condition. This present investigation paves the way for the search for green pesticides in the future.