Ovicidal and larvicidal activity of nine botanical powders against Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Col: Bruchidae)

To search for re-cycleable and environment-friendly pesticides the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of nine botanical powders includingChamomile(Chamaemelum nobilis L.),Yarrow(Achillea millefolium L.),Breckland wild thyme(Thymus serpyllum L.), Squaw mint (Mentha pulegium L.), Ferulago angulata (schlechat.) Boiss,Dill(Anethum graveolens L.),True cinnamon(Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.),Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)andginger(Zingiber officinal R.)were tested againstCallosobruchus maculates (Fabricius). The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design at 30±2 °C and 60±5% relative humidity(RH) under dark conditions. Results showed that all tested plant powders had ovicidal and larvicidal effect on C.maculatus. Based on the results in the concentration of 1 g/100g, plant powders of Z. officinal, O. basilicum, T. serpyllum, C. zeylanicum,M. pulegium and A. millefolium caused 88, 87.55, 86, 84, 82 and 80% egg mortalities, respectively. The results showed that in the concentration of 1 g/100g M. pulegium powder represented the most potent efficient larvicidal agent (95.77%) followed by O. basilicum (90%), C. zeylanicum (90%), T. serpyllum (86%) and A. millefolium (84%). Also results indicated thatpowders of Z. officinal (LC50 = 0.36 g/100g) and M. pulegium (LC50 = 0.30 g/100g) had the highest larvicidal and ovicidal activity against C. maculatus, respectively. It was found that these botanical powders can be used as a cheap and safe pesticide to control storage pests in rural areas.