Toxicity effects of several medicinal plants essential oils on Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) female adults

Abstract

The use of plant essential oils as eco-friendly and bio-rational insecticides has emerged as a promising alternative to hazardous fumigant pesticides for controlling stored product insect pests. This study investigated the vapor toxicity of essential oils obtained from the Lamiaceae, Geraniaceae, and Myrtaceae plant families against Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) female adults, commonly known as the Angoumois grain moth. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed Thymol (56.36%), Citronellol (39.7%), Eugenol (80.0%), and Carvacrol (42.28%) as the primary components in Thymus vulgaris, Pelargonium roseum, Syzygium aromaticum, and Satureja hortensis, respectively. Probit analysis and ducial Limit (FL) calculations determined the 24-hour toxicity (LC 50 ) of the essential oils diluted in acetone (10%), resulting in LC 50