The mortality of Oryzaephilus surinamensis Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) induced by powdered plants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether powdered plants of different species namely: peppermint Mentha piperita (L.) (Lamiaceae), wormwood Artemisia absinthium (L.) (Asteraceae), common sage Salvia officinalis (L.) (Lamiaceae), allspice Pimenta dioica (Linnaeus et Merrill) (Myrtaceae) and common garlic Allium sativum (L.) (Amaryllidaceae), added to semolina using concentrations of 1.23, 3.61, and 5.88%, influence the mortality rate in the saw-toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Silvanidae). Experiments were conducted in a laboratory at 28°C and relative humidity 60±5%. At the concentration of 1.23%, allspice seeds caused the highest mortality amongst the saw-toothed grain beetle. When concentrations of 3.61 and 5.88% were used, sage, peppermint and wormwood caused the highest statistically significant mortality of O. surinamensis.