The growth regulatory, deterrency and ovicidal activity of worm wood [Artemisia annua L.] on Tribolium confusum Duv. and identification of its chemical constituents by GC-MS

The chemical composition of worm wood Artemisia annua L. (Astraceae), a medicinal plant, was studied by gas chromatography and gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). About 60 compounds were identified, from which the major compounds were erythritol (50.30%), camphore (7.25%), pinocarveol (4.13%) and diethoxyethane (2.18%). The effect of crude extract on deterrency was maximal in 1000 μL/L treatment (only 4.66 ±1.05 insects were attracted to treated food) compared to control (12.6 ±0.96) The growth regulatory effect showed that 1600 μL/L treatment variously affected the weight of larvae, pupae and adult (0.48 ±0.003, 2.17 ±0.02 and 1.31 ±0.015, respectively) and finally the ovicidal effect and the number of adults appearing in F1 were similarly affected (38.5 ±1.7 and 33.75 ±2.31), comparing to control (99.25 ±1.727 and 92.5 ±1.35). The present result and previous results on this plant species indicate that it can be a good candidate for controlling stored product insects.