Abstract
Essential oils of 7 plants viz., Cinnamomum camphora (L.), Cymbopogon winterianus (Jowitt.), Matricaria chamomilla (L.), Mentha viridis (L.), Prunus amygdalus (Batsch.). Rosmarinus officinatis (L.) and Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider) were evaluated in the laboratory for their insecticidal and repellent properties against adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in wheat. After exposure for 2 weeks, % mortality was recorded after 3, 7 and 14 days from exposure. The repellent action of the essential oils was also studied using the same concentrations used in toxicity tests. The progeny production and wheat loss % were also recorded after 2 months of exposure. Results indicated that adults of R. dominica (F.) were less susceptible to the different concentrations of tested essential oils as mortality was low (<10%). C. camphora (L.) was more effective as a repellent to R. dominica (F.) at higher concentrations. There was no relation between the progeny production and wheat loss at different oil concentration used.