RELATIVE EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF MINT (MENTHA LONGIFOLIA) AGAINST TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)

Present study aimed to examine the effect of different concentrations of mint, Mentha longifolia (2.00 %, 1.50 %, 1.00 %, and 0.50 %) on Tribolium confusum in wheat under laboratory conditions. All the concentrations of mint exhibited the potential to cause mortality of T. confusum and their effectiveness against T. confusum increased with time. Although, no significant difference was recorded among various mint materials to elicit mortality of T. confusum after 24 hours of application. However, a rise in mortality was recorded after 48 hours of application with the highest mortality of T. confusum also recorded in 2.00% concentration followed by 1.5 %, 1 %, and 0.5 % concentrations. The mortality of beetles showed further rise afterward and at the end of the week of the mortality experiment, 2.00% mint concentration cause maximum mortality. No mortality of beetles was recorded in the control. Population fluctuation results showed a significant difference in population growth at monthly intervals as a steady growth was observed in the 2%, 1.5% 1%, and 0.5% concentration, but, rapid growth was recorded in the control. At the end of the third month, the highest population of T. confusum was recorded in control (88.00±3.79 beetles), whereas, the beetle population observed in 0.50%, 1.00%, 1.50%, and 2% concentrations were (71.33±1.45 beetles), (63.00±3.46 beetles), (53.67±2.91 beetles) and (30.00±3.61beetles) respectively. The overall weight and grain loss were significantly higher in control, whereas, 2% of mint concentration suffered the lowest loss. Therefore, 2% of mint concentration is recommended to be used to manage the population of T. confusum in wheat.