ADULTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF Pergularia tomentosa L. (Asclepiadaceae) ON Tribolium BEETLES (Cleopetera: Tenebrionedeae)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Beetles of the species Tribolium are serious pests in cereal storage, causing economic losses and impairing the quality of the grain during storage. Plant extracts, such as aqueous extracts of Pergularia tomentosa L., are currently being studied as possible alternatives to synthetic insecticides for controlling these pests.Phytochemical screening of Pergularia tomentosa revealed a richness in bioactive secondary metabolites, in particular flavonoids, saponosides, terpenes, sterols, alkaloids and free quinones. Bioassays carried out on two species of beetle (Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum) revealed strong insecticidal activity, with efficacy varying depending on the dose and method of application (ingestion or contact). The aqueous extract of P. tomentosa exhibited pronounced insecticidal activity when applied directly, producing mortality rates of 63.33–86.67% through ingestion and 86.67–100% through contact exposure.Mortality generally appeared after 48 h at high concentrations. Evaluation using traditional toxicological parameters (mortality rate, LD50 and LT50) confirmed the efficacy of the extracts, in particular the acetone and methanol fractions, which induced up to 90% mortality after 72 hours. These results confirm the strong biocidal potential of P. tomentosa against Tribolium imagos.
Institution: University of Ghardaia
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7169574158