Insecticidal and Detoxification Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Essential Oils for the Control of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Pulse beetle is the most harmful pest attacking stored grains and affecting quality and marketability. Continuous use of chemical-based pesticides against pulse beetle led to the development of insecticidal resistance; essential oils (EOs) can be an effective natural alternative against this pest. The main objective was to study the chemical composition of seven EOs viz., , , , , , and , their insecticidal and enzyme inhibition activities against pulse beetle. The primary compounds present in these EOs were cis-asarone, 1,8-cineole, linalyl isobutyrate, 2-β-pinene, camphene, α-dehydro-ar-himachalene and camphene. oil showed promising fumigant toxicity to and (LC = 1357.86 and 1379.54 µL/L, respectively). A combination of + was effective against and (LC = 108.58 and 92.18 µL/L, respectively). All the combinations of EOs showed synergistic activity. In the repellency study, showed more repellence to and (RC = 53.98 and 118.91 µL/L, respectively). and oil at 2500, 5000 and 10,000 µL/L significantly inhibited the AChE and GST enzymes in and after 24 and 48 h.