MORPHOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES INDUCED BY PLANT ESSENTIAL OILS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS CHINENSIS

*M. Madhavi

ABSTRACT

Vitex negundo and Allium sativum oil causes a sharp reduction in the morphogenesis and ovarian development of Callosobruchus chinensis. When freshly moulted IV and V instar larvae of Callosobruchus chinensis were treated with different concentrations of Vitex negundo and Allium sativum oil affected the mortality, moulting and metamorphosis variedly. These oils were found to suppress the population of pests at higher dosages, while lower dosages were found to induce several developmental defects. Thus, it is evident that the influence of oils on Callosbruchus chinensis resulted in, varied morphogenetic and ovarian deformities ruling out the possibility of further propagation of the stored pest.

Keywords: Vitex negundo oil, Allium sativum oil, Callosobruchus chinensis, larvae, stored pest.