Preliminary larvicidal effect of seed oil from Cleome arabica L. on fifth instar larvae of Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Abstract

In this present study, the toxicity of Cleome arabica L. (Capparidaceae) seed oils was tested on L5 larvae of Schistocerca gregaria, Forsk. (Orthoptera-Acrididae). The forced administration of 60 ?L/individual of this vegetable oil leads to the death of all the treated larvae either before or after a few days of exuviation (imaginal moult). Signs of intoxication were observed a few hours after treatment, i.e. movement disorders, diarrhoea, inability to take food and weight loss. Male L5 larvae seem more sensitive than female L5; the mortality rates being around 90.91% and 36.36% respectively after 16 days. The TL50 recorded in treated L5 larvae is around 11 days.