HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF CITRONELLA AND MENTHOL ON INTEGUMENT RED PALM WEEVIL RHYNCHPHORUS FERRUGINEUS (OLIVER.)

Plant essential oils and terpenes used as spraying agents for controlling RPW may be implemented as an alternative means of chemical pesticides in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. In this study, We have tested citronella and menthol oils used as novel bio-insecticide to check the histopathological effects on the body wall of the insects. Some pathological changes are represented in the dispersal of the nucleus, the disintegration of muscles fibers compeer the normal untreated fiber, the decomposition of the fat tissues, vacuolization of the fat bodies occurred, detachment of the cuticle from the epidermis in some areas after treatment with LC50 and LC95 of citronella oil and menthol respectively. The results suggested that the citronella oil and menthol terpenes strongly impact R. ferrugineus adult as a spraying agent. A solution may be used in IPM to combat R. ferrugineus adult.