FUMIGANT TOXICITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST 4 MAJOR STORED-PRODUCT INSECTS

The fumigant toxicity of 28 essential oils extracted from various spice and herb plants and some of their major constituents were assessed for adult coleopterans Rhyzopertha dominica, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tribolium castaneum, and Sitophilus oryzae. Three groups of active materials were distinguished: (1) The compounds terpinen 4-ol, 1,8-cineole, and the essential oils of three-lobed sage, sage, bay laurel, rosemary, and lavender were most active against R. dominica; (2) The compounds linalool, alpha-terpineol, and carvacrol and the essential oils of oregano, basil, Syrian marjoram, and thyme were most active against O. surinamensis; and (3) the compound 1,8-cineole and the essential oils anise and peppermint were active against T. castaneum.