Sitophilus oryzae (L.) under the influence of botanicals

The study on Sitophilus oryzae (L.) under the influence of botanicals in stored rice grains was conducted at Central Potato Research Institute, Campus, Modipuram, Meerut, U.P. India. Botanicals are considered as alterative for management of stored grain pests. Dry leaves (crushed) of six plants, viz., neem, eucalyptus, tulsi, melia, mint and chrysanthemum at 1 g and 2 g per 25 g of sterilized rice were used against S. oryzae. Ten adults were introduced into each conical flask having sterilized rice and crushed leaves. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Observations on mortality were recorded periodically at 24 h interval. The experiment was conducted at 28 ± 2°C and 75% R.H. The observations revealed that all the treatments were significantly superior to control. Mortality of the S. oryzae 2 g/25 g of rice was 100% in mint leaves in one day followed by neem, melia, tulsi, eucalptus and chrysanthemum leaves, compared to control.