Chemical composition and the insecticidal activity of certain plants applied as powders and essential oils against two stored-products coleopteran beetles

Powders and essential oils were prepared from the aerial parts of Cinnamomum camphora , Ocimum basilicum , Chenopodium ambrosioides , and seeds of Pimpinella anisum . Their adulticidal activities and effects on the F 1 progeny of Trogoderma granarium (Everts) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) were evaluated. The chemical composition of the plant oils were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS). All of the tested botanicals showed insecticidal activities against the test insects in a dose-dependent manner with T. granarium was more susceptible to the tested plant products than T. castaneum . At a concentration of 5 g kg −1 , many of the plant powders caused 100% mortality of both insects after 14 days of exposure. The powders of C. camphora , O. basilicum , and C. ambrosioides were effective against T. granarium , while that of C. ambrosioides caused 100% adult mortality of T. castaneum under the same assays conditions. A dose of 1.50 ml cm −2 of the oils of C. camphora and O. basilicum completely controlled T. granarium , while 100% mortality of T. castaneum adults was recorded with P. anisum oil. A significant and/or complete reduction (100% inhibition) of the F 1 progeny of both insects was obtained as a result of parental exposure to the tested botanicals, especially at the highest doses applied. Botanicals under investigation showed a considerable grain protecting activity against the tested insect species and could be included in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.