Insecticidal effect of carvone against the wheat weevil (Sitophiius granarius L.)

The insecticidal effect of carvone, terpenoid chemical which is found in many plant species, especially in caraway (Carum carvi) and dill (Anethum graveolens) against the grain weevil (Sitophillus granarius) was examined. The grain weevil is one of the most important pests of stored grain. The commercial carvone was used in laboratory trials. The grain weevils were manually counted and placed into Petri dishes. The different concentrations of carvone were used as fumigant applied on filtration paper. The rape-seed oil was used as a diluent. Each concentration was tested in three spatial and two time replications. The humidity and temperature in laboratory were observed. The evaluations of efficiency of carvone were carried out in 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. The method after Henderson-Tilton was used for evaluation of carvone efficacy. The limit concentrations of carvone with good insecticidal effect were detected. These preliminary results show the perspectives of carvone as an insecticide especially for organic farming.