EFFECT OF LANTANA CAMARA L. ESSENTIAL OIL: A NATURAL SOLUTION FOR MANAGING STORED GRAIN INSECTS.

This article investigates the insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oil extracted from Lantana camara L. leaves as a natural alternative for managing major stored grain pests—Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil), Rhyzopertha dominica (dhal beetle), and Carpophilus dimidiatus (peanut beetle)—commonly found in warehouses in Tamil Nadu, India. The study demonstrates that L. camara essential oil exhibits significant toxicity, with an LC50 value of 7.196 ppm against S. oryzae, and causes knockdown and mortality effects that increase with concentration and exposure time. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis identified 36 compounds in the oil, including sesquiterpenes such as α-copaene, germacrene D, and caryophyllene oxide, which are associated with insecticidal activity. While the essential oil shows promise as a biocontrol agent, the authors note the need for further research to clarify its mechanism of action, persistence under storage conditions, and safe industrial application.