Abstract

                                In the present study, botanicals (11 nos.) were extracted using ethyl acetatesolvent (mid-polar) and evaluated for their fumigant toxicity and repellentactivity at 5% concentration against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. incomparison with Acorus calamus.The results revealed that all the botanicalswere effective against Sitophilus oryzae compared to untreated control.Mentha spicata 5% ethyl acetate extract exhibited 83.33% fumigant toxicityafter 72 hours of treatment with maximum repellency rate of 76.11%.Ocimum sanctum displayed 80.00% fumigant toxicity with the repellencyrate of 76.11% and grouped under Class IV. Vitex negundo 5% treatmentcaused 83.33% fumigant toxicity, and it was statistically on par with theM. spicata and the repellency rate was 72.78 against S. oryzae. Curcumalonga caused effective repellency rate of 75.56% and was grouped underClass IV. Hence, it is concluded that 5% ethyl acetate extract of M. spicata,V. negundo and O.sanctum were toxic against S. oryzae in stored maize.

Key words : Sitophilus oryzae; Ethyl acetate extracts; Botanicals; Fumigant toxicity; Repellency