Bioactivity of Cinnamomum verum powder and extract against Cryptolestes ferrugineus S., Rhyzopertha dominica F. and Sitophilus granarius L. (Coleoptera).

The world is heading to increase the productivity, quantity and quality, of basic crops, but the stored grain pests destroy all these efforts and reduce its quality. This study aims to assess activity of Cinnamomum verum powder and extract against Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Rhyzopertha dominica, and Sitophilus granarius. Residual film of cinnamon was tested with and without grains (as contact toxicity). Repellent activity was estimated by using choice chamber method and waved filter paper for powder and extract, respectively. There were significant differences among all tested insects. S. granarius was more affected with cinnamon extract than C. ferrugineus followed by R. dominica. LC50 values were 1.01, 1.37 and 3.13% at 24 h. While, C. ferrugineus was more affected with powder than S. granarius followed by R. dominica. For repellent activity, C. ferrugineus was the most affected with the powder and extract followed by R. dominica and S. granarius, where, the mean repellent percentages were 100, 98 and 82% for the powder and 86.94, 62.78 and 29.44% for the extract, respectively. The repellent percentage increased with increasing the concentration and the time of exposure. Cinnamon powder and extract can be used as insecticide against stored grain pests by easy way and safety to human and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]