Repellent and toxicological impact of acetone extracts of nicotiana tabacum,pegnum hermala,saussurea costus and salsola baryosma against red flour beetle,tribolium castaneum (herbst)

Acetone extracts of four plants,nicotiana tabacum (tobacco),pegnum hermala (hermal),saussurea costus (kust-e-shireen) and salsola baryosma (khar booti) at different concentrations viz.,2.5,5,7.5 and 10% were evaluated for their repellent and toxicological effects against tribolium castaneum (herbst). the results showed that the highest percent repellency (93.33%) was achieved in n. tabacum extract followed by s. baryosma,p. hermala and s. costus. the highest mortality (6.69%) was recorded in n. tabacum extract at 10% concentration after an interval of 72 hours. in conclusion,n. tabacum and s. baryosma extracts are more effective in terms of their repellent and toxicant action against t. castaneum than those of p. hermala and s. costus and could be recommended for the management of red flour beetle in integration with other control measures. © 2013 zoological society of pakistan.