Toxicity and Repellent Effect of Three Plant Based Essential Oils against the Red Flour Beetle <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> (Herbst)

In this study jasmine (Jasminum officinale), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), and sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils were investigated for their efficacy against the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Sandalwood oil consistently showed the highest contact toxicity, with LD50 values decreasing over time. Jasmine and lemon grass oils ranked lower but still exhibited toxicity. The order of contact toxicity was sandalwood > jasmine > lemon grass at each exposure period. Fumigation treatments revealed sandalwood’s initial superiority, though jasmine surpassed it at 48 hr. The order of fumigation toxicity shifted to jasmine > sandalwood > lemon grass at this extended exposure time. Repellency tests showed dose and time-dependent responses for both larval and adult stages, with occasional fluctuations. Sandalwood’s significance differed for adult beetles between time intervals, and jasmine exhibited insignificance in its efficacy for larvae at certain intervals. This study provides insights into the potential of these essential oils as alternatives for pest control.