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

The use of plant essential oils as eco-friendly and bio-rational insecticides have 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 Thymus vulgaris, Satureja hortensis, Pelargonium roseum, and Syzygium aromaticum against Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) female adults. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed Thymol (56.36%), Citronellol (39.7%), Eugenol (80.0%), and Carvacrol (42.28%) as the primary components in T. vulgaris, P. roseum, S. aromaticum, and S. hortensis, respectively. Probit analysis determined the 24-h toxicity of the essential oils diluted in acetone (10%), resulting in LC50 values of 20.125, 14.193, 14.189, and 13.562 μgL-1(air) for T. vulgaris, P. roseum, S. aromaticum, and S. hortensis, respectively. Additionally, sublethal effects were observed at LC25 during the first generation. The treatments significantly impacted oviposition, egg hatchability, survival rate of larvae-pupae, and egg duration, leading to decreased values in these parameters. The essential oils derived from these four plant species demonstrate remarkable potential in the management of S. cerealella. Their vapor toxicity and sublethal effects on female adults underscore their effectiveness as sustainable tools within integrated pest management strategies for stored product pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]