Screening of insecticidal activity of Origanum majorana oil against Tribolium castenium

Abstract

Origanum majorana essential oil was tested for its potency as botanical pesticide to protect stored food commodities from insect infestation. The oil was found to be an effective repellent against the beetle Tribolium castenium (L.). An inverse relationship was observed with between concentration of oil and oviposition. Treatment of 1000 and 500 ppm found maximum mortality while 5 ppm concentration can be considered good against oviposition of insect T. castenium.