A STUDY OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A SESBANIA SEED EXTRACT FOR CONTROLLING THE HAIRY GRAIN BEETLE, AND A COMPARISON OF ITS EFFICACY WITH THE INSECTICIDE CYPERMETHRIN

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of oil extracted from sesban seeds using petroleum ether as an organic solvent, and to compare its efficacy with that of the chemical insecticide cypermethrin, which has been used to control the hairy grain beetle (Khabrā). Method: The experiments were conducted by exposing the insect to different concentrations (0.5 per cent and 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent) at a temperature of 38 °C. The control rates were calculated after 24 and 48 hours. Results: The results showed a direct relationship between increasing concentration and exposure time, leading to a higher control rate. The extract achieved a control rate of 90 per cent at the highest concentration of 1.5 per cent after 48 hours, whilst the chemical pesticide recorded a control rate of 100 per cent at the same concentration and over the same time period. Novelty: Ultimately, the study’s experiments confirmed the success of the extract as an alternative for controlling this insect pest in stored grains.