Contact and fumigant activities of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils against Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Methanol extracts from 30 aromatic medicinal plant species and five plant essential oils were tested for their insecticidal activities against Lasioderma serricorne (F.) adults using direct contact application and fumigation methods. Responses varied with plant material and exposure time. Good insecticidal activity against L. serricorne adults was achieved with extracts of Agastache rugosa whole plant, Cinnamomum cassia bark, Illicium verum fruit and Foeniculum vulgare fruit as well as cinnamon (C cassia), horseradish (Cocholeria aroracia) and mustard (Brassica juncea) oils applied at 3.5 mg/cm(2) in a filter paper diffusion method. Over 90% mortality at 3 days after treatment was achieved with an extract of Acorus calamus var. angustatus rhizome. Cinnamon, horseradish and mustard oils, at 0.7 mg/cm(2), were highly toxic to the adult beetles 1 day after treatment. In a fumigation test with the beetle adults, insecticidal activity of horseradish oil, mustard oil and Foeniculum fruit extract was much more effective in closed cups than in open ones, indicating that the insecticidal activity of these materials was largely attributable to fumigant action. These naturally occurring plant extracts and essential oils could be useful for managing populations of L. serricorne. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.