Evaluation of the Insecticidal Activities of α-Pinene and 3-Carene on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In order to assure food security, proven postharvest pest management tools are needed to secure grains and processed food from insect infestations. Plants and plant products have over the years been proven to possess great insecticidal properties. Farmers in Cameroon use cypress leaves (Cupressus sempervirens) as pesticide against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). Two pure compounds (α-Pinene and 3-Carene) from cypress were tested against the maize weevil for contact and fumigant toxicities. Both compounds demonstrated efficacies against both adult and immature weevils. These compounds did not change the color of the treated stored maize and could be exploited as novel maize insecticides. ABSTRACT: Pest management in most sub-Saharan subsistence agriculture involves mainly the use of botanicals that are either applied as powders, solvent extracts, ash or essential oils. Two hydrogenated monoterpenes (α-pinene and 3-carene) from Cupressus sempervirens were tested against Sitophilus zeamais in the laboratory to evaluate the contact and fumigation effects on the mortality of adult and immature weevils, progeny production, and grain damage. Contact toxicity of the terpenes was investigated at these concentrations: 0.08, 4, 8 and 12 ppm (terpene/maize), while fumigant action was studied at the following doses: 1, 2, 3, and 4 ppm. The results indicate that insecticidal effects were concentration-dependent since mortality increased with dosage and exposure periods. After a 14-day exposure period at the concentration of 12 ppm of α-pinene and 3-carene/grain, more than 98% mortality of the mature weevils was observed at concentrations of 4.1333 and 1.642 ppm respectively and progeny production was reduced by 98% and 100%, respectively. When α-pinene and 3-carene were applied as fumigants, LC(50s) (lethal concentrations that generate 50% mortality) of 1.402 and 0.610 ppm were obtained after 24 h of exposure, respectively. At concentrations above 3 ppm, both monoterpenes acted as repellents to weevils and reduced grain damage by 80%. Both monoterpenes inhibited the development of immature stages of the weevil and reduced progeny by up to 94%. These compounds are very promising and effective and could be exploited as novel phytoinsecticides against the maize weevil.