Screening for insecticidal toxicity of Urginea maritima (L.) bulbs and Asphodelus microcarpus (L.) tubers for the control of Tribolium castaneum (Tenebrionidae)

This research was conducted to determine the effect of geographical distribution on morphological characteristics of plants and some chemical compounds such as polyphenols. Moreover, we explore the contact toxicity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts from Urginea maritima bulbs and Asphodelus microcarpus tubers collected from three localities in the North West of Tunisia against Tribolium castaneum adults. The toxicity results demonstrated that both of the studied plant extracts had an effective control against T. castaneum at concentration 7.5 mu L/L air, thus total mortality reached. In addition, results showed plant extracts with methanol exhibited high mortality percentage of T. castaneum. On the other hand, results revealed that chemical composition of U. maritime bulbs and A. microcarpus tuber extract depends on the soil components and geographical distribution of plants. The present investigation confirmed that A. microcarpus and U. maritima may be recommended as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic insecticide against T. castaneum.

Automated summary

This research aimed to investigate the effects of geographical distribution on plant morphological characteristics and chemical compounds, and explore the toxicity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts on Tribolium castaneum. The results showed that the plant extracts had effective control against T. castaneum, with higher mortality observed in the methanol extracts. The chemical composition of the extracts was found to be influenced by soil components and geographical distribution. Urginea maritima and Asphodelus microcarpus may be recommended as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides for controlling T. castaneum.