Reproductive Inhibition and Mortality in Laboratory Reared Corcyra cephalonica by Application of Some Essential Oils Jacob Priyanka, Qamar Ayesha* Insect Physiology Lab, Section of Entomology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, UP *E-mail: ayesha.zoology@gmail.com
Online published on 16 February, 2013. Abstract In this study contact toxicity of the essential oils from cedarwood (Cedrus deodara), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) were tested against the Corcyra cephalonica. Their biological activity on reproductive inhibition was also determined. Residual film bioassays were employed in petri dish. The results indicated that the mortality of 4th instar larvae increased with increased concentration and time. Cedarwood oil showed highest insecticidal activity i.e. 100% mortality at 2% concentration followed by eucalyptus, camphor, peppermint, lemongrass, and bitter orange. Cedarwood oil also showed reproductive inhibition while other tested essential oils had negligible effect on reproduction. The LC50 of cedarwood, eucalyptus, camphor, peppermint, lemongrass, and bitter orange oils were 1.37%, 1.43%, 1.56%, 1.83%, 1.92% and 2.03% respectively. Therefore, these essential oils were suggested to be used for the management of Corcyra cephalonica. Top Keywords Corcyra cephalonica, reproductive inhibitors, essential oils. Top |