The essential oils (EOs) of Artemisia herba alba, Rutachalepensis and Satureja calamintha aerial parts were analysed by GC/MS and the EOs were tested for their toxicity against two flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum. EO composition showed that the major compounds were pulegone, menthone and menthol for S. calamintha, camphor and β-thujone for A. herba alba and 2-undecanone for R. chalepensis. Contact bioassay showed that all EOs were toxic to adults of T. castaneum and T. confusum. Higher toxicity was found with the EOs from S. calamintha and R. chalepensis (LD50 of 0.09-0.13 μL/cm(2) and LD90 of 0.17-0.29 μL/cm(2)). In fumigant toxicity test, A. herba alba and S. calamintha EOs produced insecticidal activity with S. calamintha EO being more toxic with LD50 and LD90 values of 10.5 and 19.1 μL/L air, respectively, for T. confusum against 7.8 and 17.4 μL/L air, respectively, for T. castaneum.
Keywords: Artemisia herba alba; Ruta chalepensis; Satureja calamintha; Tribolium; essential oils; insecticidal activity.