Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray Essential Oil: A Potential Biopesticide for Management of Sitophilus zeamais (Maize Weevils)

This study evaluated the pesticidal activities of essential oils (EO) from the leaves of T. diversifolia against Sitophilus zeamais using fumigation, repellency and contact toxicity assays. Forty-five compounds were identified in the EO constituting 96.7% of the oil from GC/MS analysis. The main constituents included α-pinene (42.2%), β-pinene (16.2%) and β-caryophyllene (12.2%). The oil displayed strong activities against adult insects as expressed by fumigant activity with LC50 value 10.2 mg of oil/L of air (p<0.05), a contact toxicity mortality with LD50 value of 12.3 μg/adult insect and class III repellency achieved within 30 min at a very low conc (30 ul/cm2 paper discs). The high potency of the oils could be attributed to the major components (α-pinene, β-pinene and β-caryophyllene), making it a potential biopesticide for protection of maize grains from Sitophilus zeamais.

Tithonia diversifolia, essential oils, Sitophilus zeamais

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