Insecticidal effect of Satureja hortensis essential oil on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Abstract

Although chemical pesticides have been effectively used to manage stored product pests, their overuse has led to environmental pollution, residue problems, threats to non-target organisms and human health, prompting researchers to develop environmentally friendly and effective agents. This study evaluated the insecticidal (fumigant) effectiveness of different dose applications of essential oil isolated from Satureja hortensis against adult Rhyzopertha dominica under laboratory conditions. The essential oil obtained by the hydrodistillation method at 5, 10, and 20 µL application doses were subjected to fumigant activity tests against adult R. dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and mortality rates were recorded at 6-hour intervals until 96 hours. The highest fumigant activity was recorded at 98% mortality rate after 96 hours, and the most effective dose was determined to be 20 µL. The study determined that S. hortensis essential oil has significant fumigant toxicity against adult R. dominica, and it was concluded that it could be used as a potential bioinsecticide for further studies.