Repellent effects of five monoterpenoid odours against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in Calabar, Nigeria

Secondary plant compounds are recognised as important components of plant defence system against herbivores and pathogens. Five monoterpenoids, (R)-linalool, 1,8-cineole, (S)-2-heptyl acetate, (S)-2-heptanol and citral, which are natural components of the essential oils of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum) and Zingiber officinale (Roscoe), were tested at the ratios in which they occur naturally for repellent activity against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) in a 4-way olfactometer. The results showed the repellent properties of the compounds as both beetles spent less time in the olfactometer arm containing the test stimuli. (R)-linalool and (S)-2-heptanol were stronger repellent compounds than the others. Linalool showed good repellent activity against T. castaneum (P = 0.001) as the insect spent 1.22 min in the test arm compared to the control arms (2.78 min), and R. dominica (P = 0.001) with 0.89 min in the test arm compared to 2.87 min in the control arms. With (S)-2-heptanol, T. castaneum spent 1.23 min in the test arm compared to 2.83 min in the control arms. R. dominica spent 1.61 min in the test arm and 2.69 min in the control arms. For the number of entries or visits made, while both insects were significantly repelled (P < 0.05) by the linalool-treated arm than the control, only R. dominica was repelled by the (S)-2-heptanol-treated arm (P = 0.038) compared to the control arms. The results indicate that A. melegueta and Z. officinale essential oils and their components could be suitable as safer repellents or fumigants against T. castaneum and R. dominica.

► Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica are serious stored-product economic pests.
► Aframomum melegueta and Zingiber officinale produce essential oils.
► Essential oils contain biologically active oxygenated monoterpenoids.
► Monoterpenoid odours were repellent to pest species in olfactometer bioassays.
► Application of these monoterpenoids has potentials in stored-product protection.