Chemical components and fumigant toxicity of Satureja hortensis L., Nepeta crispa Willd, and Anethum graveolens L. essential oils against Plodia interpunctella (Hübner)

Background: Botanically derived compounds are increasingly recognized as potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides due to their bioactive properties against insect pests.Objective: This study investigated the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oil vapors obtained from Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), Nepeta crispa Willd (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and Anethum graveolens L. (Apiales: Apiaceae) against larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).Methods: Essential oils were extracted from the aerial parts of the selected medicinal plants using Clevenger-type hydrodistillation.The chemical constituents were identified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: GC-MS analysis revealed that Carvacrol (34.74), γ-terpinene (34.27) and ρ-cymene (16.96 %) were the predominant compounds in S. hortensis oil.The essential oil of N. crispa was mainly composed of 1, 8-cineole (57.69), β-pinene (6.53) and α-terpineol (4.44 %).In A. graveolens, the major constituents were L-phellandrene (34.19),Carvone (23.67),Limonene (21.47), α-terpineol (5.58), and ρ-cymene (5.50 %).These plants are important for their medicinal properties.Fumigant toxicity assays revealed LC50 values after 24 hours of exposure as 26.974, 5.579 and 16.34 µl L -1 air for S. hortensis, N. crispa and A. graveolens, respectively.Results indicate the strong insecticidal activity of N. crispa against the P. interpunctella compared to other oils.Conclusion: Essential oils of these plants show capability for use in IPM programs to control stored pest populations.