EVALUATION OF SOME SPICES EXTRACTS AGAINST RED FLOUR BEETLE TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (HERBST.) (TENEBRIONIDAE: COLEOPTERA)

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of four spices, chili (Capsicum frutescens), garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) extracts for their toxicity, repellent and residual effects against the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum in the laboratory under the Department of Entomology, HSTU, during March to August 2017. The 5 concentrations (1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625 mg/ml) along with a control were applied in bioassay. The results of the study indicated that all the spices extracts had different toxic, repellent and residual effect as well as effective for controlling red flour beetle. Among the spices extracts, the highest mortality (54.54%) was found in chili whereas turmeric showed the lowest mortality (28.98%). The order of the toxicity of the spices extracts were found as chili > garlic > ginger > turmeric. Mortality percentages were directly proportional to the different concentration level and hours after treatments. All the spices extracts were significantly different. Chili extract also showed the highest (87.77%) repellence effect among all the spices extracts applied. On the contrary, turmeric extract showed the lowest (33.33%) repellency effect. On the basis of repellency class, it was found that chili, garlic and ginger extracts were in the same repellency class i.e. Class IV and turmeric extract was in class III. All spices extracts showed good protection of wheat flour by reducing adult emergence over control. The chili extract showed the highest (64.81%) population inhibition followed by garlic (61.0), ginger (55.96) and turmeric (38.74) extracts. Considering the toxic, repellent and residual effect chili spices extract was more effective against red flour beetle among all the spices extracts applied.