Insecticidal activity of essential oils isolated from Rue (Ruta graveolens L.)and Galbanum (Ferula gummosa Bioss.) on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Abstract: In recent years, essential oils of medicinal plants have received much attention as pestcontrol chemical agents because of their insecticidal, repellent and antifeedant properties. In thisresearch, the fumigant activity of essential oils of Ruta graveolens L. and Ferula gummosa Boiss.was tested against adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The essential oils were obtained fromdry leaves of Rue and gum of Galbanum plant and subjected to hydrodistillation using a modifiedClevenger-type apparatus. The experiments were conducted at 27 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and in darkconditions. Fumigant toxicity of essential oils was tested against 1-7 days old adults of C.maculatus. Mortality of adults was tested at different concentrations ranging from 7.1 to 57.1μl/lair. Results showed that LC50 values of Rue and Galbanum to be 14.7 and 29.41μl/l air,respectively for 24 hours fumigation. This finding show that essential oil of R. graveolens may bemuch more effective than F. gummosa. Therefore, these essential oils could have potential forcontrolling of C. maculatus in organic food management.