Toxicological and growth regulatory effects of acetone extract oils of indigenous medicinal plants against a stored grain pest,cryptolestes ferrugineus (stephens) (coleoptera: Cucujidae)

Essential oils of melia azedarach,linium usitatissium,ferula narthex,sasurrea costus,viola odorata and achyranthus aspera were tested for their contact toxicity and growth regulatory effects against cryptolestes ferrugineus (stephens). the highest mortality (9.70%) was observed with 15% m. azedarach followed by f. narthex,s. costus,a. aspera l. usitatissium and v. odorata. the increase in exposure time was also directly related with mortality. larval emergence and pupation were minimum (21.66%,40.01%,respectively) in the presence of m. azedarach and maximum 89.84% and 90.14%,respectively in control. the overall results suggest acetone extract which may contain essential oils have considerable potential to protect stored grain by killing or inhibiting the growth of insect pests and might be used as grain protectant.