The Effect of Aqueous and Oil Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare (Sweet Fennel) on the Larval Stages of Ephestia cautella (Fig Moth)

1,2,Al-Musayyib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat University, Iraq

Abstract

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted in the Graduate Studies Laboratory, Department of Biological Resistance Technologies, Al-Musayyib Technical College, from 1st October 2023 to 1st December 2023. The experiments aimed to assess the effects of hot, cold aqueous, and oil extracts of Foeniculum vulgare (sweet fennel) on the various larval stages of Ephestia cautella (fig moth). The results indicated that the oil extract of fennel seeds outperformed the cold and hot aqueous extracts, with the highest mortality rate of 66.70% observed for the oil extract at a a concentration of 1% after 72 hours. In comparison, the highest mortality rates for the hot aqueous extract and cold aqueous extract at the same concentration were 40.00% and 53.30%, respectively, after 72 hours. The lowest mortality rate for the oil extract was observed at a concentration of 0.25%, registering 10.00%, while the cold aqueous extract resulted in a minimum mortality rate of 6.70% at a concentration of 0.25% after 72 hours post-treatment.

The findings also revealed that the percentage of mortality increased with higher extract concentrations and longer exposure times.