Effect of hellebore (Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.) plant extract on the progeny and survival of the larvae of stored product pests

Abstract

Plant extracts have been used as pest control tools for years, whole or as the basic element in developed insecticides. Helleborus odorus Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd (Ranunculales: Ranunculaceae) extract exhibits pharmaceutical and other properties, but its potential insecticidal property has not been sufficiently investigated. In the present study, H. odorus plant extract was examined as a potential insect-pest control agent for the first time. Insecticidal activity was evaluated against larvae of major beetle pests (Prostephanus truncatus Horn, Sitophilus oryzae L., Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, Rhyzopertha dominica F., and Trogoderma granarium Everts) infesting grains, and mortality was recorded in relation to plant extract dosage and duration time of insects’ exposure. Significantly fewer offspring was produced by treated individuals compared to the control. The efficacy of treatment in progeny suppression was also concentration and time dependent. Application of the extract of H. odorus clearly demonstrated remarkable insecticidal action when applied to larval beetle individuals, which was increasing with application dose and exposure time. Our results are discussed on the basis of enhancing the use of H. odorus as pest control agent, in the framework of eco-friendly pest management. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Deutsche Phytomedizinische Gesellschaft.