Determination of essential oil composition of Ammi L. (Umbelliferae) genus and its effects on some warehouse pests

Effects of essential oil components obtained by hydrodistillation of Ammi genus members (Ammi majus L., Ammi visnaga L. (Lam.)), which have important chemical and active components were investigated against two important storage pests; fig borer Cadra cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A total of 23 and 14 components were detected in A. majus and A. visnaga, respectively, and the product yield was found to be 96.05%, 82.53%. Among them, the major components for A. majus are 2 heptadecanone, benzoic acid, 2 pentadecanone while for A. visnaga they are linalol, nonadecane, carvacrol. While the essential oil of A. visnaga extended the adult emergence times in E. kuehniella and C. cautella, the increase in pupation time was found statistically significant only in E. kuehniella. Depending on the application of A. visnaga essential oil in E. kuehniella, the adult life span was reduced at the highest döşe while a decrease was detected in both doses applied in C. cautella. Adult weight and number of eggs laid by females decreased due to the application of A. visnaga in both storage pest insect species. After the application of A. majus essential oil to the storage pest insects, increases and decreases were observed in the adult emergence time, pupation time and pupal period. In E. kuehniella and C. cautella, adult life spans, adult weights and egg production of adult females showed statistically significant decreases depending on the application of A. majus essential oil. The findings obtained within the scope of the thesis study reveal that the essential oils of A. majus and A. visnaga species have the potential to be used in the control of storage pest insects.