Purpose: To investigate the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of the
aerial parts of
Ostericum grosseserratum
against the maize weevil,
Sitophilus zeamais
．
Methods: Steam distillation of the aerial parts of
O. grosseserratum during the flowering stage was
carried out using a Clavenger apparatus in order to obtain its volatile oil content. Gas
chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses (HP-5MS column) of the essential oil were
performed and its contact and fumigant activity determined.
Results: A total of 43 components of the essential oil were identified. The principal compounds were
(d)-limonene (16.2 %), 4-terpineol (13.5 %), myristicin (11.3 %), γ-terpineol (8.3 %), β-pinene (5.1 %), β-
caryophyllene (4.6 %) and linalool (4.1 %). The oil exhibited contact toxicity against adult
S. zeamais
with lethal concentration (LC
50) value of 17.97 μg/adult. The essential oils also possessed fumigant
toxicity against
S. zeamais with LC
50 value of 13.70 mg/L air.
Conclusion: The study indicates that the essential oil of
O. grosseserratum has a potential to be
developed into a natural fumigant/insecticide for the control of grain storage insects.
