Some physical and chemical constants and chemical composition of the essential oils of three Egyptian plants namely thyme, rosemary and sage belonging to the Labiteae family were determined. Gas‐liquid chromatographic analysis of thyme, rosemary and sage essential oils indicated the presence of 13, 12 and 8 compounds representing 63.75%, 82.44% and 99% of the total volatile substances, respectively. The most prevalent volatile compounds of thyme, rosemary and sage oils were thymol, α‐pinene and thujone, respectively. The anti‐microbial examination for these oils against some micro‐organisms showed that thyme oil had the greatest effect followed by sage and rosemary oils.

Tribolium castaneum is a major pest of wheat grain flour. Studies were carried out to investigate the insecticidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from locally grown seven medicinal plant such as ginger (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), dill (Anethum graveolens), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) , and lemon (Citrus limon) against Tribolium castaneum. In addition, Gene expression analysis for three insecticide resistance genes (Cytochrome P450 similar gene, CYP4Q4 and CYP4Q7) that mediated the detoxification mechanism, The EOs showed effective mortality of adult and larval stages of tested insect at concentration levels (6.25, 12.5 and 25) and exposure periods under laboratory conditions as compared with untreated experiments. Overall results, among essential oils A. graveolens and S. aromaticum showed highest mortality rate, followed with T. vulgaris and A. sativum while the minimum mortality rate was in E .globules against T. castaneum adult and larval stage, highest LC 50 values was recorded in Anethum graveolens (LC 50 at 1.5 hrs),it is note worthy that larvae more sensitive to EOs than adult in addition, Eos showed maximum expression level in T. castaneum larval stage was in Cytochrome P450 similar gene 3.38 Fold changes in mRNA, followed with CYP4Q4 and CYP4Q7 were 2.21 fold and 1.41 fold respectively as compared with reference gene (house keeping gene, β-Actin). Hence, these EOs of investigated plants may be recommended as botanical insecticide to control of stored grain insect, T. castaneum.

Entomopathogenic fungi naturally associated with cowpea aphid, Aphis. craccivora were surveyed and identified. There were 18 fungal species infected cowpea aphid, on broad bean in winter and on cowpea in late spring and summer from December (2008) to December (2009). Five genera of entomopathogenic fungi were recorded for the first time associated with A. craccivora in Egypt. These genera were: Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Panadora neoaphidis, Batkoa major, Entomophthora planchoniana, and Coidiobolus obscurus.

Toxic and chemosterrilizing effect of fennel (Foeniclum vulgare) and cress Seeds (Eruca sativa) extracts in (petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol) and Jojoba oil on the adults of Cowpea beetles Callosobruchus maculatus(F.) were evaluated. Results showed a high mortality values with high concentrations of cress Seeds extracts and Jojoba oil while Fennel extracts exhibited low mortality with all used concentrations. Insect mortality increase with the increasing of concentration and exposure period. At high concentrations all tested extracts had a pronounced effect on female reproduction. The reproduction of C.maculatus female was completely inhibited by using high concentration of Jojoba oil or cress seeds extraction in petroleum ether.