The Evaluation of Toxicity Effects of Synthetic Volatile Compounds and Essential Oils on Callosbruchus maculatus L. and its Biology
Mangayarkarasi Sankar *
Sethu Bhaskara Agriculture College and Research Foundation, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
Logeshvararaj Balasubramanium
Sathyam Kissan Care, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Kathirvelu Chandrasekaran
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
Selvamuthukumaran Thirunavukkarasu
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The biology studies and contact toxicity of synthetic volatile compounds, namely Propionic acid and Benzaldehyde, and essential oils namely, Ocimum basilicum and Mentha piperita, and their different possible combinations evaluated against Callosobruchus maculatus and were carried out at the Department of Entomology, Annamalai University to develop an economically viable and effective alternative to chemical insecticides to manage the stored product insect pests. In the biology study, the egg period was 5±0.07 days. The larval and pupal period together was 21.24±0.67. The total development period recorded from the day of oviposition to adult emergence was 35.03±0.35 days. The maximum contact toxicity was observed in Propionic acid + Benzaldehyde with 8.73 µl LC50. Therefore, in addition to being incorporated into the storage pest management to prevent the development of resistance, combinations of essential oils and synthetic volatiles, such as propionic acid and benzaldehyde, could be used as an alternative to the chemical fumigants that are mostly used to control pests of stored products.
Keywords: Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Callosobruchus maculatus, biology studies and contact toxicity