The vapor effect of essential oil of some plants on adults and larvae of the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) in the laboratory

Abstract

The study was carried out in the laboratory of Plant Production Dept. and Dep. of Basic Sciences, at faculty of agriculture/Damascus University during 2022-2023. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils obtained from leaves of Laurus nobilis L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn and fruits of Schinus molle L. on adult and larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller in laboratory.  The results showed that the LC₅₀ values after 24 hours for Mediterranean flour moth adults were 15.74, 31.30 and 18.01 μL/L air, while the LC₅₀ for red 1st larvae were 16.73, 44.17 and 20.56 μL/L air and the LC₅₀ for 3rd larvae 51.65, 60.84 and 56.35 μL/L air for L. nobilis, E. camaldulensis and fruits of S. molle respectively. The results showed that the essential oils of L. nobilis, S. molle were significantly superior to all treatments and in both treatment of evaporation adults and larvae of the Mediterranean flour moth. The effectiveness of essential oils of the tested plants increased with increasing concentration and exposure time.