Bioactivity and chemical composition of anise (Pimpinella anisum)‎ on Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera : Bostrichidae)‎ compared to malathion

Abstract EN

In recent years, the focus has been on using alternatives to control stored grain pests to overcome resistance to pesticides.

It reduced the costs, providing good control and safe to use.

Ways to protect grain storage include the use of safe alternatives such as plant products.

Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is one of the most important insect pests of stored products in the world.

The adult emergence may spend several days within the grain attacking wheat grains causing before making exit holes to emerge.

This cause weight loss and reduced nutrition values.

The present study was conducted in laboratory to evaluate the efficacy of anise (oil and powder) compared to malathion as a recommended insecticide for controlling stored grain pests.

The tested compounds evaluated by mixing with medium assay to study the parameters of mortality %, emergence % of R.

dominica adults, on the repellent activity, germination %, weight loss % beside the identification of chemical components of anise oil by GC/MS analysis.

The results showed that anise oil and powder and malathion were effective in reducing insect infestations.

The tested materials significantly increased the insect mortality % and reduced the emergence % with increasing concentrations and exposure time.

Also, the weight loss % of wheat grains decreased with increasing concentrations of all tested compounds compared to control.

Moreover, the tested materials showed a good repellent activity on R.

dominica adults especially at the highest concentration.

The effect of anise oil was higher than that of the powder and malathion for repellent activity.

Furthermore, anise oil slight inhibited the germination percentage of wheat grains followed by anise powder.

While, malathion had no effect on germination percentage compared with control, after three months post treatment.

Considering the results of current study, it could be suggested that the anise oil and powder have the potentiality to be used as an alternative to chemical insecticides for protecting stored grains against R.

dominica in the integrated pest management program.