THE POTENTIAL OF NATURAL VENOM OF APIS MELLIFERA FOR THE CONTROL OF GRAINS WEEVIL ADULTS (SITOPHILUS GRANARIUS - COLEOPTER-CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract

The natural venom of honey bees, Apis mellifera was applied for the control of  Sitophilus granaries adults. Five dose levels of 1.1, 2.4, 3.7, 5.0, and 6.3µg/insect of bee venom were tested against the adult stage of S. granarius. The adult mortality increased gradually and this parameter correlated with an increase in the doses of bee venom. Higher and lower mortalities were 94.3 and 20.2% after 72 hr of adult treatment with the doses of 6.3 and 1.1µg/insect of bee venom, respectively. The LD50 value of the venom was 3.9 and 3.3µg/insect after 24 and 72 hr of adult treatment, respectively. Chemical survey of the active fraction number 10 of the venom indicated the presence of 5.47% carbon (C), 17.96% oxygen (O), 68% nitrogen (N) and 8% hydrogen (H) by using elementary analysis. Also spectrophotometer screening of the active venom fraction by using UV, IR, and MS spectrum proved the molecular weight of the active toxic components was 2847.7MW. The chemical components of the active fraction (no. 10) supported the presence of aromatic chain attached to the functional groups of amine (NH), carboxylic (COH), and carbonyl (CO). These analyses supported the empirical chemical formula of the biological active fraction of the bee venom, which is, C₃₁H₂₂₈N₃₈O₃₂.