Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Artemisia igniaria Maxim. (Asteraceae) aerial parts against the maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky). Essential oil of A. igniaria aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 40 components of the essential oil were identified. The principal compounds in the essential oil were 1,8-cineole (14.36%), camphor (13.38%), germacrene D (8.77%), caryophyllene (6.91%) and linalool (6.21%) followed by selina-6-en-4-ol (4.69%), 4-terpineol (4.56%), α-terpineol (4.30%) and spatulenol (4.22%). The essential oil exhibited strong contact toxicity against S. zeamais with an LD₅₀ value of 14.41 µg/adult. The essential oil also possessed fumigant toxicity against S. zeamais with an LC₅₀ value of 7.22 mg/L. The results indicated that the essential oil of A. igniaria showed potential in terms of contact and fumigant toxicity against grain storage insect.

Key words: Artemisia igniaria, Sitophilus zeamais, contact toxicity, fumigant, essential oil composition.