EFFICACY OF SOME INDIGENOUS PLANT SMOKE AGAINST RED FLOUR BEETLE, TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (L)


 Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is one of the major insect pests stored grains. Due to export legislation and zero-tolerance for live insects in trade commodities, extensive use synthetic insecticides practice eliminate pest infestations from lots. Currently, only acceptable chemical be used grain phosphine but due its excessive usage, are becoming resistant it. Hence, discovery alternative compounds much needed. In this study, we have compared repellency different plants smoke five commonly found Pakistan, viz. neem Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), costus Saussurea lappa (Asteraceae), turmeric Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), sweet flag Acorus calamus (Acoraceae) valerian Valeriana officinalis (Caprifoliaceae) against T. castaneum. After two hours smoke, showed a maximum 75.89±2.14% followed by (44.15±1.87%), (43.22±2.51%), (23.15±1.75%;) (18.40±1.40%). This baseline study management castaneum, further research on aspect required investigated. The results support botanicals product management.