Insect toxicity and repellent activity of phytochemicals from "Flea killer, Boenninghausenia albiflora" against "Black garden ant, Lasius Niger" of Pakistan

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal activity of essential oils obtained from root, stem and leaves of Boenninghausenia albiflora (Sapindales: Rutaceae) against Black garden ant Lasius Niger L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The major compounds in these essential oils were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their insecticidal activity was tested at three concentrations i.e. 1, 5 and 10% in ethanol. All essential oils showed similar insecticidal and repellent activity at each concentration but significantly different at p=0.05 from controls with LC50=12.35 μl, while dose dependent effect was significant with R2=0.803. It can be concluded that the three essential oils in this study have both insecticidal as well as repellent effect.