To valorize both medicinal and aromatic Algerian flora, thepresent study was performed to assess the effective bio-insecticidal effect ofessential oils extracted from the leaves of two aromatic and medicinal plants, Lantanacamara and Urtica dioica, on the development and reproduction of Plodiainterpunctella (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) found in stored foodstuffs. L.camara extracts were found to have a higher level of essential oils (1.78%)than that of U. dioica (0.95%). In addition, the essential oils of U.dioica and L. camara revealed significant insecticidal activity withmortality rate of 84.44±5.09% (U. dioica) and 72.22±6.94% (L. camara).The lethal doses (LC₅₀; LC₉₀) for U. dioica and L.camara were respectively, 5µL/insect; 33µL/insect, and 9.12 µL/insect;16.94µL/insect. The reproductive effects of essential oils of U. dioicawere evidenced by the extended duration of nymphal development and thepreoviposition period since those of L. camara were shown by anextension of the preoviposition period, a reduction of the oviposition rate andthe duration of nymphal development. Further, results showed a marked decreasein the fertility and viability of the eggs laid by females, resulting in areduction in reproductive efficiency. Analysis of the leaf powders revealed apotential insecticidal effect, proven by an increased mortality rate of up to100% after 72 and 96 hrsof exposure.  

The herbivorous ladybirdbeetle, tef epilachna Chnootriba similisThunberg (Coleoptera Coccinellidae), is a serious pest of cereal crops in manyAfrican countries. In Ethiopia, it was reported as a pest of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter(Poaceae) and caused severe damage to all cereal crops in the country. Thisstudy was designed to investigate the pathogenicity of different Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin(Ascomycota: Hypocreales) isolates (1x10⁸ conidia mL^-1concentration) against egg, larvae and adults of C. similis under laboratory and screen house conditions. Allisolates of B. bassiana showedpathogenicity in all life stages of C.similis. Among the tested isolates, PPRC-56 caused the highest mortality ineggs (76%), first instar larvae (36%), fourth instar larvae (57%) and adults(78%) of C. similis, 11, 6, 8 and16-days post treatments, respectively. The first and fourth instar larvae weremore susceptible than the eggs and adults of C. similis. Our study showed that all B. bassiana isolates were highly effective at killing all stages ofC. similis in both laboratory andscreen house conditions. The study suggests using the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana as a biocontrol agent tocontrol C. similis is veryimpressive.

Control of Spodoptera litura in the tropical sugarbeet is a critical issue for sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this fieldexperiment was to assess the efficacy of botanical and non-chemical techniquesagainst S. litura to identifyecologically viable management alternatives. Spodoptera litura responded best to a neem oil solution at aconcentration of 3.0 mL/L. In terms of insect infestation, the plot treatedwith neem oil outperformed the untreated control plot. The infection rates forplants, leaves, and beets were 5.66/plot, 5.33/plant, and 11.00/plot,respectively. In terms of larvae decrease over control, the plot treated withneem oil had the greatest effectiveness (84.33%), followed by pheromones, whichhad an efficiency of 80%. Plants treated with neem oil showed the highest Brixand Pol values (17.61% and 12.62%, respectively). Weight per beet was lowest inthe control plot (690.33 g), and highest in the best treatment (791.33 g). Itclearly shows that when insect infestation grows, beet yield falls. The controlplot was unable to effectively resist S.litura, resulting in unhealthy sugar beet output. In contrast, eco-friendlytechniques such as NPV spraying, Bio Neem Plus®, Tracer 45SC (spinosad), handpicking, light trap, and polythene mulching trap outperformed the control plot.

One of the primary insects of stored goods thatcauses significant losses globally is Sitophilusoryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest of stored grains. Utilizationof synthetic pesticides, which are effective but also dangerous for theenvironment and human health, and has caused stored product pests to acquireresistance and disrupt the balance of ecosystem. As a result, creation of novelnatural insect-control methods utilizing plants products in form of plantessential oils in a binary combination to control S. oryzae as a substitute to chemical. The Preference index (PI)was observed by binary combination of Aeglemarmelos and Mentha arvensis are -0.95at 0.40% concentration (χ2 value=3.582) (P<0.05) with 95.35 per centrepellency. In A. marmelos and M. arvensis binary combination ofessential oils it also showed, minimum LC₅₀ value of 10.296 µl/cm3with maximum toxicity against adults at 48 hrs (F=28.358) (P<0.001),respectively comparison to other essential oils combinations. With thesub-lethal concentration 60% of 48 hrs. LC₅₀ value, the binarycombination of essential oils showed an antifeedant effect, reaching 85.69% forS. oryzae. In accordance with thepresent investigation, insecticides derived from plants can be employed as asubstitute for chemical pesticides in formulations, that measure theirinsecticidal effectiveness against S.oryzae as fumigants in the binary combinations.

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Keywords: Aegle marmelos, Menthaarvensis, Citrus reticulata, Sitophilus oryzae,Insecticidal activity, Formulation, Essential oils.

Rajasthan has a large diversified aquatic and semi aquatic entomofaunainhabiting water spread areas. They act as pests and vectors for deadlydiseases, specifically mosquitoes which are considered most deadly worldwide.Mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupal stages are aquatic, so these are common foodsource for many aquatic invertebrates. In the present study seven families ofNepomorpha and five families of Gerromorpha, along with five genera ofmosquitoes were documented from the aquatic and semi aquatic ecosystems ofRajasthan. According to many experimental studies conducted to understand theinteraction between Hemipterans and mosquitoes, found some Hemipteran familieslike Corixidae (water boatmen), Notonectidae (backswimmers), Belostomatidae(giant water bugs)as predators of Mosquito larvae. The present study lists 50species of hemipterans from 12 families and a subfamily that indicates theenvironment of Rajasthan is in favor of their survival and growth, so they canbe introduced in the areas where they are not found naturally and can be amajor factor in managing mosquito population.  [

Keywords: Mosquito,Hemiptera, Interaction, Predators

The highly polyphagous insect Spodoptera litura has become a serious pest in recent years,infesting a variety of crops due to the pest's extensive presence; pesticidesare constantly being used to try to control the infestation. Several botanical/plant extracts have been employed to regulator the S. liure. The current study was aimed to assess the chemicalconstituents from the methanolic extract of O.mungos and exploring the larvicidal activity of O. mungos against S. litura.Our observations indicated that the total phenolic content of O. mungos was found to be 16.22±0.115 mgGAE/g in the stems and 21.17±0.011 mg GAE/g in the leaves. The total flavonoidcontent was found to be 42.80±0.096 mg QE/g in the stems, and 28.52±0.120 mgQE/g in the leave of Ophiorrhiza mungos.Following a 24-hour exposure period, larval mortality was observed. Aconcentration of 5 mg/mL was shown to have the greatest larval death rate. TheGC-MS analysis of O. mungos leave revealed seven phytocompounds, whereas thestem sample analysis revealed ten phytocompounds, respectively. These resultsconclude that methanolic crude extracts O.mungos can be utilized as an effective pesticidal agent for managinglepidopteran pests..

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Keywords: Ophiorrhiza mungos, Spodopteralitura, Bio-pesticides, GC-MS

Efficacyof different application method of biological control agents were evaluatedagainst root rot disease of french bean in field. Among the tested bio controlagents significantly minimum root rot incidence was found in T8 Trichoderma viride as seed treatment,soil application with foliar application Pseudomonas florescence followedbyT7,T4.Significantly maximum seed germination was found in T8 seed treatedwith Trichoderma viride, soilapplication with foliar application Pseudomonas florescence followed by T6,T5and T4.Significantly maximum seedling growth at 35 DAS, no. of pods/plant at 55 DAS, length of plant at 45 DAS,no. of branches /plant, no. of pods /plant, yield, economic were found inT8 Trichoderma viride as seed treatment andsoil application and with foliar application Pseudomonas florescence followedby T7, T6 and T5.

Keywords: Bio control agents, Root rot, French bean

Cereals are globally essentialstaples, supplying over 60% of calorie intake for populations in the developingworld. Traditionally, cereal cultivation has relied on indigenous technicalknowledge, with natural and locally accepted pest control methods. However,widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture,along with climate change, erratic weather, and shifting cropping systems, hasled to increased pest pressure and severe crop losses. This study, conducted inKoraput district, Odisha (covering the blocks of Koraput, Jeypore, Kundra, andBoipariguda) from July to December 2023, assesses insect pest incidence onthree major cereal crops—paddy, finger millet, and maize—across 16 samplingsites totaling 32 hectares. Tribal farming communities, characterized bysocio-economic vulnerability, were engaged through Participatory RuralAppraisal (PRA) methods, with 134 male and 56 female participants interviewedusing structured questionnaires. Pest types, developmental stage-specificdamage, and traditional pest control practices (including neem kernel and leafextracts, fermented cow dung and cow urine, ash, and fire) were documented.Insect species identified spanned five orders, 12 families, and 21 species.T-tests indicated reduced pest incidence following the application of naturalformulations, while two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in cropyields across three cultivation types: no pest control, neem-basedapplications, and a combination of natural and minimal chemical formulationswithin safe limits. Findings underscore the effectiveness of optimizedtraditional pest control in sustaining cereal production under marginal farmingconditions.

Keywords: Cereal crops; Indigenous pest control;Sustainable agriculture; Tribal farming practices; Natural formulations;Climate resilience

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitiscapitata (Wiedemann), is found in most tropical and subtropical areas ofthe world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chillingtreatment method to reduce the cooling time and the cost. Thisinvestigation evaluated post-harvest cooling treatmentat 1 and 2^oC on the immature stages of C. capitata inValencia orange and the effect of these temperature degrees on certain physical and chemical parameters of Valenciaorange fruits. The result revealed that the mortalitypercentage of immature stages increased by exposure time. The egg recorded 100%mortality after 8 days of exposure at 1^oC, whereas the time ofexposure was extended to reach 10-12 days in the case of larvalinstars. Cooling time was extended for the tested stages; egg stage andthe three larval instars to 10, 12, 14, and 14 days after post-treatment at 2^oC,till the mortality reached 100%. The data clarified that the mortalitypercentage increased with decreasing the temperature and the exposure timewhich decreased by decreasing temperature in all immature stages. Thisinvestigation clarified that the third larval instar of C. capitata wasthe most tolerable in Valencia oranges. The results showed that 12 days wereenough time for killing all immature stages of C. capitata aftertreatment at 1^oC and 14 days of exposure to cold treatment at 2^oCin Valencia orange were sufficient to achieve this infestation. There are nosignificant differences in both physical (weight loss, color, and hardness) andchemical parameters (acidity and soluble solid) of Valencia orange fruitsexcept vitamin C.

Keywords: Ceratitis capitata, low temperature, tolerant, quality