The Effect of Essential Oil Fumigation on Biochemical, Behavioral, and Physiological Parameters of .

This study explores the influence of rosemary, (L.) essential oil (EO) on the biochemical (acetylcholinesterase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), physiological (oxygen consumption), and behavioral (open field test, repellency) parameters of an important stored product insect: cowpea weevil, (F.). EO exhibited effective insecticidal action against even at relatively low concentrations. LC = 15.69 μL/L air, and was highly repellent at concentrations equal to or above LC. Statistically significant inhibition in locomotor activity occurred only after the acute exposure to the EO at LC and LC. The oxygen consumption test showed metabolism increase only at LC. An increase in activity was observed in the case of all three enzymes examined. The presented data provides a potentially valuable resource in designing more environmentally friendly and safer insecticide agents.