Évaluation de l'activité insecticide de quelques huiles essentielles sur les paramètres biologiques de la bruche du niébé.

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a strategic legume in sub-Saharan Africa, suffers significant post- harvest losses due to infestations by the beetles Callosobruchus maculatus and Bruchidius atrolineatus. In this study, we evaluated the bioactivity of three essential oils (EOs)—green mint (Mentha spicata), basil (Ocimum basilicum) (both lab-extracted), and a commercial eucalyptus EO—on key biological parameters of adult beetles. Results demonstrated significant repellency across all EOs, with the weakest effect observed for eucalyptus. Contact and fumigation bioassays quantified their impact on adult survival and emergence. The findings confirm that these natural bioinsecticides offer a sustainable alternative for post-harvest protection, particularly in rural settings.