INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF THREE PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST Trogoderma granarium(Khapra beetle) IN WHEAT GRAINS WITH TOXICITY EVALUATION

Extracts of three plant species were tested under laboratory conditions for their ability to protect wheat (Triticum spp.) grains against the insect Trogoderma granarium . The insect was reared and tested on whole wheat grains with respect to the larvae,pupae and adult’s mortality, and emergence.. Furthermore, the safety of the most effective plant extracts was evaluated with respect to biochemical changes in rats. The results revealed that Chenopodium ambrosioides followed by Eucalyptus gluaca extracts were the most effective against T. granarium with respect to insect mortality and progeny relative to the control. These extracts also showed low toxicity on treated rats relative to control with respect to biochemical changes . The results suggested that these extracts may be a safe alternative to insecticides