The Study Of The Insecticidal Effect Of Nigella Sativa Essential Oil Against Tuta Absoluta Larvae

Abstract To contribute to the development of an integrated strategy of pests associated with the tomato crop the insecticidal potential of the essential oil of Nigella sativa was evaluated on larvae of Tuta absoluta which is considered the most destructive insect in the production of tomato Solanum lycopersicum and which causes serious damages in invaded areas. Rearing larvae of Tuta absoluta and the testing of toxicity were conducted in laboratory conditions in petri dishes at a temperature of 262C with a relative humidity ranging from 60 to 70 and a photoperiod of 16 8. The method of Finney based on probits regression of mortalities according to the logarithms of essential oil doses allowed us to determine the LD50. The results of these tests showed that the essential oil of Nigella sativa has remarkable larvicidal properties. After four hours of exposure they induced 100 of mortality of larvae in the concentration of 020326956lcm. The measured LD50 indicated the value of 010526956lcm. Field trials are needed to confirm the practical relevance of these results in the development of a natural pesticide against the larvae of Tuta absoluta.