Insecticidal activity of plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum Herbst

Abstract

The insecticidal activity of n-hexane, methanol and water extracts of Tamarindus indica, Azadirachta indica, Cucumis sativus, Eucalyptus species, Switenia mahagoni, and Psidium guajava leaves were investigated by using the Film residue method against a red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst. The results showed that four plant extracts showed a strong to moderate toxicity at a different concentration on red flour beetle. Among them, Cucumus sativus leaves extract showed highest mortality (80%) whereas Psidium guajava extract showed lowest mortality (50%). Among the solvents, the hexane extracts showed more toxic effect than other extracts. The LC50 results revealed that the hexane extract of Cucumus sativus is the most toxic to the pest followed by the hexane extracts of Azadirachta indica and Tamarindus indica. Qualitative phytochemical analysis has also been performed.