Effect of ethanolic extract of Fumaria parviflora, Euphorbia helioscopia and Achillea wilhelmsii on nutritional indices of flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum adults

The effect of three ethanolic medicinal plant extracts, Fumaria parviflora (Lamark), Euphorbia helioscopia L. and Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch were investigated on nutritional indices of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults. Relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and feeding deterrence index (FDI) were measured for antifeedant activity of plant extracts. Treatments were evaluated by the method of flour disc bioassay in the dark, at 27±1°C and 60±5 % RH. Concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 percent were prepared from each extract. After 72 h, nutritional indices were calculated. Relative growth rate, relative consumption rate and efficiency of conversion of ingested food decreased as the concentration level was increased. While feeding deterrence index percent increased significantly as the concentration level increased. According to this findings, E. helioscopia extract was more effective than other extracts. Total mean values of relative growth rate, relative consumption rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food and feeding deterrence index of this extract were 0.26 mg/mg/day, 0.56 mg/mg/day, 46.40% and 43.37%, respectively. It seems likely, E. helioscopia extract have a remarkable effect on the stored product pest control.