Evaluation of insecticidal properties of <i>Citrus limon</i> leaf and peel essential oils against rice moth, <i>Corcyra cephalonica</i> (Stainton)

The Rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a serious pest of stored cereals and processed products causing damage to a variety of food grains. Its larval stage feeds externally on grains and processed products under storage and damages both quantitative and qualitative. For the control of this insect pest, several chemicals of synthetic nature have been used in different forms. Since these synthetic chemicals affect the environment, human health, non-target organisms as well as the quality of air, soil and water, researchers focused on green alternatives. In the present study, essential oil from Citrus limon (Family: Rutaceae) leaves and peel was extracted and evaluated to investigate their repellent, toxic, oviposition inhibitory, developmental inhibitory and antifeedant activities on C. cephalonica. These two essential oils repelled the adults of C. cephalonica in repellency assay and caused acute toxicity in both larvae and adults in fumigant toxicity assays reducing oviposition and interfered with the transformation of larva to adult besides inhibiting the hatching of eggs. In conclusion, these C. limon leaves and peel essential oils can be used as the key components in eco-friendly insecticide formulation based on volatile organic chemicals.