FUMIGATION TOXICITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) IN STORED MAIZE GRAIN

TOXICIDADE POR FUMIGAÇÃO DE ÓLEOS ESSENCIAIS SOBRE Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) EM GRÃOS DE MILHO ARMAZENADOS

ABSTRACT:

The Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is a primary pest of stored grains in many regions of the world. In this work we evaluated the fumigant activity of essential oils of Ocimum basilicum L., Citrus aurantium L., Mentha spicata L. and Croton pulegiodorus Baill on adult R. dominica in stored maize. Tests were conducted to determine lethals concentrations (CL₅₀ and CL₁₀₀) and mortality (fumigation).The fumigation test was done in containers made of glass containing 10 individuals of R. dominica, where essential oils were applied at different concentrations: O. basilicum and M. spicata (5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40µL/L of air), C. aurantium (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60µL/L of air) and C. pulegiodorus (0, 20, 30, 50, 70 and 90µL/L of air). After 48 hours of exposure to the oils the percentage of insect mortality was evaluated. According to LC₅₀ and LC₁₀₀ the toxicity of essential oils decreased in the following order: O. basilicum> M. spicata> C. pulegiodorus> C. aurantium. The essential oil of O. basilicum exhibited strong fumigant toxicity against R. dominica adults, with a LC₅₀ value of 17.67 µL/L air and LC₁₀₀ value of 27.15 µL/L air. The C. aurantium essential oil required higher concentrations than O. basilicum, M. spicata and C. pulegiodorus to kill insects. However, all oils evaluated presented fumigating property to promote the control of R. dominica and demonstrated potential use in the management of this coleoptera.

Keywords:
Botanical insecticides; Fumigant effect; Bostrichidae; Stored grains