Effects of Citrus Oil Volatiles on the Reproductive Biology of the Rice Moth, Corcyra Cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an important pest of stored food such as cereals, cereal products, oil seeds pulses dried fruits nuts and spices. A sharp reduction in percent egg hatchability was noticed at 72 hours exposure of the volatiles in comparison to 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours exposure period to the vapor action of 20, 40, 80, or 160 µl volume of Citrus oil. There was a marked decline in egg output and egg hatchability in reproductive pairs, whose larval development for the first 15 days/from 16 th day till 30 days/continuous till 30 days took place in an environment emanating from 20, 40, 80 or 160 µl volume of this oil. Appreciable reduction in egg laying capacity and egg viability was noticed at 6 hour exposure of the volatiles in comparison to 3 hour exposure period to the action of different volumes of this oil. There was significant reduction in Glycogen level, Total lipids, Total protein and Total free amino acids level in testes and ovaries of adults following their exposure to the action of selected volatiles for 6 hours, emanating from 20, 40, 80 or 160 µl volume of Citrus oil.