Assessing the efficacy of botanical extracts against Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium) in laboratory conditions

The current study was conducted in 2023 to evaluate the formulation under the laboratory condition against the Khapra Beetle.Mortality and repellency of larvae were studied using different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) of various botanicals including Solanum nigrum, Azadirachta indica, Calotropis indica, and Datura stramonium.Mortality was recorded after 1, 2 and, 3 days.After 3 days at the highest concentration (15%), S. nigrum exhibited the highest mortality (26%) as followed by A. indica (23%), C. indica (22%), and D. stramonium (21%).Similarly, D. stramonium showed the highest repellency efficacy (18%).These findings highlight the potential effectiveness of the tested botanical treatments for an integrated pest management (IPM) program against T. granarium.Further studies required to identify active compounds responsible for the observed effects and to assess their environmental safety.