Toxicity and bioactivity of essential oil of Cilantro (Eryngium foetidum L.) against red flour beetle [Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)]

Abstract

Grains and milling products are a major part of the daily diet of humans and animals but grain storage is heavily impacted by insect pests. Toxicity and bioactivity of essential oil (EO) from Cilantro, Eryngium foetidum L. were evaluated against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), known as one of the most common stored-product insect pests worldwide. EO was extracted from fresh leaves of E. foetidum using a Clevenger type apparatus, and its toxicity and bioactivity against T. castaneum were investigated using the topical application test, the vapor phase test, and the impregnated paper test. Toxicity of E. foetidum EO on T. castaneum adults was investigated by direct contact and fumigation bioassays. E. foetidum EO was efficient with low estimated LD50 and LC50 as 31.34 µL/mg adult and 31.31 µL/L air, respectively. Insecticidal efficiency of E. foetidum EO on T. castaneum adults showed that a dosage of 25 µL/mg adult and a concentration of 32 µL/L air killed 62.5% after 120 h of exposure and 72.50% after 72 h of exposure. E. foetidum EO was strongly repellent to T. castaneum adults at 2.5 µL/L air, with highest repellent activity (100%) after 7 h of exposure. Results indicated that E. foetidum EO showed potential as a bio-insecticide for the control of T. castaneum.