EFFICACY OF PLANT EXTRACTS ON FECUNDITY AND FERTILITY OF TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (HERBST)

The adults of rust-red flour beetle of same age were treated with the extracts of plant by feeding method at the concentration of 2 and 4% (w/w) prepared in 80 mesh wheat flour. Fecundity and fertility were recorded till the death of adults. It is found that the average number of eggs laid per female are significantly reduced as a result of treatment. The extracts also adversely affect fertility and and sterility at both the concentrations. The action seems dose dependent. The extract of flowers of Origanuar majorana is the most effective one. Thus, the extracts suppress reproducibility in the flour beetles.