Deformities produced by some Plant Powders in <i>Rhyzopertha dominica</i> (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Abstract

The larval feeding of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) on whole wheat grains treated with dry leaf powder of Murrya paniculata L., Jatropha curcas L. (Jack), Datura metel L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. and Virtex negundo L. and seed powder of Nigella sativa L. produced abnormalities in larval, pupal and adult stages at doses 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/g in case of all leaf powder treatments and the effect was more distinct at higher doses. Compared to leaf powders seed powder of N. sativa was more effective, however, the deformities responded in the larval, pupal and adult stages were more or less similar in case of all the plant products. The percentages of deformities produced differed significantly among the doses (P<0.001, F=5.10) of different plants (P<0.001, F =3.89). Key words: Deformities, R. dominica, plant powders. J. bio-sci. 14: 69-72, 2006