Purpose: To investigate the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of the
aerial parts of
Artemisia frigida
against maize weevils (
Sitophilus zeamais
) and booklice (
Liposcelis bostrychophila
)．
Methods: Steam distillation of
A. frigida aerial parts was carried out in a Clavenger apparatus to extract
its volatile oil content. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analyses (HP-5MS column) of
the essential oil were performed and its contact toxicity was determined using topical application and
filter paper impregnation technique while its fumigant toxicity was evaluated using sealed-space
method.
Results: A total of 32 components of the essential oil were identified. The principal compounds were
cis-ρ-menth-2-en-1-ol (20.8%), 1,8-cineole (12.0%), borneol (10.2%), lavandulol (9.3%), camphor
(6.9%), and bicyclogermacrene (5.5%). The oil exhibited contact toxicity against adult
S. zeamais and
L.
bostrychophila with LC
50 value of 17.97 μg/adult and 254.38 μg/cm
2, respectively. The essential oils
also possessed fumigant toxicity against
S. zeamais and
L. bostrychophila with LC
50 value of 69.46
mg/L and 1.25 mg/L air.
Conclusion: The study indicates that the essential oil of
A. frigida has a potential to be developed to a
natural fumigant/insecticide for the control of grain storage insects.
