Evaluation of insecticidal potential of Citrus limon leaf and peel essential oil against lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica
Mukesh Kumar Chaubey
Department of Zoology National Post Graduate College, Barahalganj-273402, Gorakhpur (India) Email: mgpgc9839427296@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is a serious primary pest of stored grains and processed products feeding on cereals and processed products cryptically under storage and damage both quantitative and qualitative. For the management of this insect pest, several chemicals of synthetic nature have been used in different form. Since these synthetic chemicals affect environment, human health, non-target organism as well as quality of air, soil and water, researchers focused on green alternatives for this insect pest to reduce its population. In the present study, essential oil from Citrus limon (Family: Rutaceae) leaves and peel was extracted and evaluated to investigate their repellent, toxic, oviposition inhibitory, developmental inhibitory and antifeedant activities on R. dominica. These two essential oils repelled the adults in filter paper repellency assay and cause acute toxicity in both larvae and adults in fumigant and contact toxicity assays. These two essential oils reduce oviposition and interfere with the transformation of larva to adult besides inhibiting hatching of eggs when fumigated. Deterrence in feeding habit of R. dominica adults was also been recorded. In conclusion, these C. limon leaves and peel essential oils can used as the key components in ecofriendly insecticide formulation based on volatile organic chemicals.