Toxic and Growth Inhibitory Effects of Sapium indicum Willd Seed Extracts on the Rust Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst) and the Confused Flour Beetle, Tribolium Confusum (du Val.)

The study was conducted to find out the toxic effect of different solvent extracts of Sapium indicum seed against mature larvae and adult of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. Among this Acetone (Ac) extract was found to be the most effective toxicant against the larvae and adult of both the insect species. The LD50 values have been calculated at 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment (HAT). The values of Ac extract at 72 hours were 173.98 for T. castaneum and 193.32 g/cm2 for T. confusum larvae. The LD50 values of the same extract for adult beetle at 72 hours were 74.34 and 155.90 g/cm2 for T. castaneum and T. confusum respectively. Depending on the toxic nature, Ac extract was used to assess the growth and development of the insect spp. All the treated food of the extract significantly reduced the wt. of larvae, pupae and adult of both the insect spp. The treatment also lengthened the developmental period; reduced pupal and adult recovery in comparison with the control. Ac extract proves to have good insecticidal value for suppression of population of these insect pests.