15. Fumigant action of some essential oils towards bean weevil Acanthoscelides Obtectus Say

Bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is considered the main storage pest of the bean crop. Its control is performed mainly by chemical treatment, which has the potential to cause resistance in pests, as well as environmental contamination and a lot of harmful effects on non-target organisms.

This study aimed at evaluating the insecticidal effect by fumigation in laboratory conditions of some essential oils upon A. obtectus adults. Essential oils of Capsicum frutescens L., Origanum vulgare L., Juniperus communis L., Syzygium aromaticum (L.), Salvia officinalis L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. were evaluated.

Our results indicate that all of the tested essential oils have good potential for controlling bean weevil. The essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Origanum vulgare L. and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) express the most toxic action upon A. obtectus adults.