Insecticidal activities of flowerheads of Anacyclus cyrtolepidioïdes pomel growing in Tunisia against Tribolium confusum du Val

Abstract

The effects of Anacyclus cyrtolepidioïdes flowerheads (Compositae family) on Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults and larvae were determined. Insecticidal activity of the flowers essential oil, four crude extracts as well as twenty one fractions deriving from solid-liquid chromatographic separation was assessed using direct contact application method. The ethylacetate crude extract and eight fractions (A3, A 4 P8, P10, F2, F3, F 5 and F7) showed a significant inhibitory effect of the test material on Tribolium confusum du Val growth. One hundred percent mortality of the adults was achieved twelve days after treatment using fractions A 4, P8 and F7, respectively. This preliminary study suggested that A. cyrtolepidioïdes may be considered as a potential source of insecticidal compounds. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.