Physiological effects of some stress factors in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Hind Ibrahim Al-khazraji

Abstract


Stored-product insects, particularly the red rust flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, cause considerable quantitative and qualitative losses in stored grains and flour products. The present study evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of the essential oils of Mentha piperita and Laurus nobilis, alone and in combination with elevated temperatures, against adults of the red rust flour beetle. Peppermint oil exhibited significantly higher toxicity than bay oil at all tested concentrations and exposure periods. Adult mortality increased with increasing oil concentration and exposure duration, reaching a maximum of 81.9% after 7 days at 5% peppermint oil, whereas bay oil caused a maximum mortality of 71.9% under the same conditions. The overall mean mortality was 53% for peppermint oil compared with 39.1% for bay oil. Probit analysis confirmed the greater toxicity of peppermint oil, which recorded a lower LC50 value (4832.31 ppm) than bay oil (24,744.23 ppm). The synergistic interaction between essential oils and elevated temperatures further enhanced insect mortality. Exposure to 45°C alone caused 38.6% mortality; however, mortality increased to 85% when peppermint oil was combined with 45°C. Similarly, the combination of bay oil and 45°C resulted in 76.6% mortality. Physiological investigations revealed significant increases in the activities of glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes under thermal and oil treatments, indicating oxidative stress and activation of detoxification mechanisms in the insects. In conclusion, peppermint oil, particularly when combined with elevated temperatures, demonstrated strong potential as an environmentally sustainable strategy for the management of stored-product insect pests.

Keywords


Tribolium castaneum, Mentha piperita essential oil, Laurus nobilis essential oil, Stored-product pest management, Oxidative stress enzymes

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.010.02.6131

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