Insecticidal Activity of Flower of Tagetes erecta L. against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

The crude extracts and its fractions of the flower of Tagetes erecta Linn. were tested for insecticidal activity against a stored product insect pest, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The chloroform fraction showed highest toxicity against both the larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum followed by 50 petroleum ether fraction and ethanol extract. The LC values of chloroform fraction against first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth instar larvae were 11.64, 14.23, 19.26, 29.02, 36.66, 59.51 μg/cm (72 h.), 2 respectively and for adults the value was 65.93 μg/cm (72 h.). No mortality was observed in control. 2 Finally we can conclude that the flower of Tagetes erecta might be a pesticide against Tribolium castaneum.