Use of insecticides can have disruptive effects on the environment. Replacing the chemical compounds in these insecticides with plant materials, however, can be a safe method with low environmental risk. In the current study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum L. (Maton) (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) on the adults of three stored product pests was investigated. Results indicated that essential oil of E. cardamomum toxic to the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Adults of E. kuehniella were more sensitive than the Coleoptera. Also, the highest mortality of these insects was seen after 12 hours. Results of the LT50 tests showed that the lethal time of mortality occurred between 10–20 hours in various test concentrations. Essential oil of E. cardamomum had a good efficacy on oviposition deterrence of C. maculatus females, too. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major constituents of cardamom were identified as 1,8-cineol, α-terpinyl acetate, terpinene and fenchyl alcohol. These results suggest that essential oil of E. cardamomum is a good choice for control of stored product pests.

The effects of sublethal concentrations of indoxacarb on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) were examined. In comparison with the control, sublethal concentrations led to a significant decrease in adult emergence, the percentage of pupation and pupal weight of the parent generation, fecundity, and adult longevity. They also significantly decreased the net reproductive rate (R 0 ), intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), finite rate of increase (k), and gross reproduction rate (GRR), and had significantly increased egg developmental time and doubling time (Dt) of P. xylostella. However, sublethal concentrations of indoxacarb had no significant affect on adult emergence, percentage of pupation, larva, prepupa and pupa developmental periods, hatchability, and sex ratio of offspring. The results of this study indicated that sublethal concentrations can decrease the biological parameters of P. xylostella.

Effects of hexaflumuron at 10% lethal concentration (LC10) and LC25 on development and reproduction parameters of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1753) (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) were investigated. Estimated LC50, LC10 and LC25 values of leaf dip bioassay of hexaflumuron on the third instar larvae of the P. xylostella were 1.48, 0.59 and 0.91 mg/L, respectively. Hexaflumuron decreased pupal weight in the parent generation at sublethal concentrations but in the offspring generation, this effect was not observed. Sublethal concentrations increased egg, first and second larval instar and pupa developmental time and shortened life span of adults, but did not change the third and fourth larval instars and pre‐pupa developmental period. Also fecundity of females reduced significantly but hatchability of treatments and control were similar. Survival rate of pre‐adult stages declined significantly at LC25 concentration. Reproduction parameters such as reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase in sublethal concentrations were significantly lower compared with control, but gross reproduction rate (GRR) at the LC10 concentration was increased and it could be hormoligosis. Also hexaflumuron significantly increased doubling time (Dt). We conclude that the sublethal effects of hexaflumuron might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics of P. xylostella.

The effects of fenoxycarb, a Juvenile hormone analogue, at sublethal concentrations were tested on some biological parameters of Plutella xylostella (L.) in two consecutive generations. The calculated LC10, LC25, and LC50 values of the insecticide were 21.58, 43.25, and 93.62 mg/liter on third-instar larvae, respectively. Fenoxycarb significantly reduced pupal weight and oviposition period in parent generation. In addition, the fecundity of treated groups (LC10 = 71.06, LC25 = 40.60 eggs per female) in parents was significantly lower than control (169.40 eggs per female). Although fenoxycarb could not affect gross reproductive rate and death rate, it decreased net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and birth rate in offspring generation. Also, mean generation time and doubling time of treated insects was significantly longer than control at LC10 level. Therefore, the data from this study suggested that fenoxycarb could adversely cause population decline in the subsequent generation.

The diamondback moth (DBM),Plutella xylostella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major pest of Brassicaceae family in Iran. This study investigated the sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue, on DBM, for two subsequent generations. The leaf dip bioassay method was adopted in conducting this experiment. Sublethal concentrations resulted in a significant decrease in fecundity, oviposition period, and pupal weight of parents and offspring generations. Also, the development time of DBM was prolonged after exposure to pyriproxyfen. The biological parameters such as net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic (rm) and finite (λ) rate of increase were lower than control in treatment groups, significantly. From our investigations, pyriproxyfen is a good choice for control of the diamondback moth population through continuous generations.

The oligophagous pest Plutella xylostella (L.) is a major crucifer pest in Tehran Province, Iran. Hexaflumuron is an insect growth regulator insecticide with good effects on immature insect stages. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC25) of hexaflumuron on some biological parameters of P. xylostella larvae, such as birth rate (b), death rate (d), finite rate of increase (λ), generation time (T), sex ratio, pupation rate, and adult emergence. Results showed that hexaflumuron decreased the total number of eggs and oviposition and post-oviposition periods, pupation, and adult emergence in the treated generation, b, and λ. Hexaflumuron also increased T, d, and the preoviposition period. However, sex ratio, percentage of pupation, and adult emergence in the offspring generation were not affected by hexaflumuron. Overall, these results indicated that sublethal concentrations of hexaflumuron can affect the biological parameters of P. xylostella.

Plant materials with insecticidal properties have been traditionally used for generations in some parts of the world. In this study, fumigant toxicity of some essential oils extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis L., Mentha pulegium L., Zataria multiflora, and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck var. hamlin on adults of stored-product pests, including . Results showed that among tested essential oils, C. sinensis var. hamlin had good fumigant toxicity on T. castaneum, S. granarius, and C. maculatus. In addition, M. pulegium essential oil was stronger than C. sinensis var. hamlin on S. granarius. Results also indicated that both Z. multiflora and R. officinalis had fumigant toxicity on P. interpunctella adults. In summary, results indicated that these essential oils have good fumigant toxicity on stored-product pests.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a serious threat to Brassica vegetables in Iran, including Tehran province. The ovicidal effects of different classes of insecticides on P. xylostella were investigated, using three fixed doses (based on commercial formulations). At the lowest concentration (500 mg L -1 ), the mortality effect of hexaflumuron and pyridalyl was higher than the other insecticides examined. Fipronil, hexaflumuron and spinosad and pyridalyl, however, showed high toxic effects at the median dose (1000 mg L -1 ). On the other hand, at high concentration (2000 mg L -1 ), all insecticides except lufenuron and indoxacarb (EC formulation) caused more than 85% mortality. Overall, these findings indicate that hexaflumuron, spinosad and fipronil, with low active ingredients and high mortality, could be the best choices for controlling the P. xylostella in the egg stage.