Ruta Angustifolia Essential Oil: Behavioral and Insecticidal Effects Against Larvae and Adults of Tribolium castaneum

The study aims to evaluate the behavioral and insecticidal effects of Ruta angustifolia EO (RAEO) against larvae and adults of a major pest insect, Tribolium castaneum. RAEO exhibited a strong repellency against both adults and larvae where percentages as high as 74 and 72 % of PR (Percentage of Repellency) were recorded respectively, at 0.47 μL/cm after 2 h. Regarding the antifeedant bioassay, no feeding deterrence was recorded in adults while an increase in appetite was registered in larvae exhibiting -80 % of FDI recorded at 0.2 μL/pellet. In terms of feeding preference, the response significantly depended on the developmental stage (F=97.19, P