Efficiency of Artemisia sieberi Besser and Artemisia scoparia waldst et kit essential oils on biological activity of Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Col.: Bruchidae)

In regard to the invasion of various food commodities by insects and harmful effects of chemical pesticides, essential oils are among the best known substances tested against stored product pests. Effects of essential oils from Artemisia sieberi Besser and Artemisia scoparia Waldst et Kit were tested against oviposition deterrence, egg hatching and first instar larvae of Callosobruchus maculatus F. at 27 ± 1˚C and 65 ± 5% R.H. under dark condition. For each essential oil, five replications were conducted. Increasing the essential oil concentrations resulted in increase if insecticidal activity of essential oils on eggs, first instar larvae and oviposition deterrence. At 0.14 mL/g food, the essential oils of A. sieberi and A. scoparia resulted in inhibition of oviposition of the insect. The maximum concentration of essential oils (2.86 mL/L air) caused 100% mortality of first instar larvae. Although, oviposition deterrence of A. scoparia was stronger than A. sieberi, however, ovicidal and larval mortality caused by both essential oils were not significantly different. LC50 values indicated that essential oil of A. scoparia with 1.11 and 1.06 mL/L air against eggs and first instar larvae do not have significant difference with A. sieberi. It was found that plant essential oils can be used as a safe pesticide or model for new synthetic pesticides to control stored pests.