Priyanka Jacob and Ayesha Qamar
Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the lethal and ovicidal effects of fifteen different combinations of six essential oils i.e. Cedarwood (Cedrus deodara), Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), and Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) on the 4th instar larvae of Corcyra cephalonica via contact application. Lowest fecundity was recorded by the application of 1:1 combination of Cedarwood+Eucalyptus which was followed by combinations of Cedarwood+Peppermint, Cedarwood+Camphor oil, Cedarwood+ Lemongrass and Cedarwood+ Bitter orange oil. Drop in fecundity of treated females was caused by interference of these essential oils with the normal development of the eggs. All the tested combinations of essential oils exhibited mortality effect on the larvae of C. cephalonica, but the highest effect was shown by Cedarwood+Camphor having Lc50 1.05%. This study highlights the importance the essential oils could have in the framework of an integrated pest management program for the control of rice moth, providing an alternative strategy to the current management practices.
