MANAGEMENT OF SITOPHILUS ZEAMAIS (CURCULIONIDAE) USING FOENICULUM VULGARE (APIACEAE) AND MYRISTICA FRAGRANS (RANUNCULACEAE) VOLATILE OILS.

The insecticidal activity of Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) and Myristica fragrans (Ranunculaceae) volatile oils was determined against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Repellent, toxic, oviposition and growth inhibitory, and feeding deterrent actions were evaluated for the two extracted oils from the individual plant parts. In the toxicity assay, both F. vulgare and M. fragrans oils were toxic to adults and larvae, but adults were comparatively less susceptible than larvae. When fumigated with sublethal concentrations, these two volatile oils reduced acetylcholine esterase activity in adults. Both volatile oils significantly reduced oviposition, progeny production, and feeding but increased the developmental period. Therefore, it can be concluded that these two oils can be used to develop volatile oil-based formulations for S. zeamais management in stored grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]