World Journal of Zoology 10 (4): 345-350, 2015 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2015.10.4.1110 Corresponding Author: Muhammad Farooq, Entomological Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Tel: +923137744704, Fax:: +92419201681. 345 Acaricidal Activity of Aqueous Extract of Some Indigenous Plants against Rhizoglyphus Tritici (Acaridae: Acari) Aurangzeb Khan, Bilal Saeed Khan, Muhammad Farooq, 1 1 2 Khurram Zia, Muhammad Rafiq Shahid 1 3 Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 1 Entomological Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2 Cotton Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan 3 Abstract: Rhizoglyphus tritici is a notorious pest of stored wheat grains rendering grains unfit for use. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the acaricidal and biological activity of four indigenous plant extracts viz., Melia azedarach, Datura stramonium, Citrus paradisi and Citrus reticulata. Peels of C. paradisi and C. reticulata, leaves of M. azedarach and D. stramonium were used for extraction. 5 serial dilutions (100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25%) along with a control were used for each extract. 20 adults of R. tritici were released in small petri dishes having treated concentration of each extract and number of dead specimens were recorded after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours interval. With respect to present mortality, D. stramonium and M. azedarach gave highest mortality of R. tritici after all time intervals whereas C. paradisi and C. reticulata showed lowest mortality. Effectiveness of extracts was concentration and interval dependent. EC and ET values were also 50 50 determined which demonstrated D. stramonium as most effective plant extract having lowest EC and ET 50 50 followed by M. azedarach. Hence, it is concluded that D. stramonium and M. azedarach possess high toxicity against R. tritici and can be successfully used in future management strategies. Key words: Indigenous Plants Acaridae Rhyzoglyphus Tritici D. Stramonium Aqueous Extracts INTRODUCTION thus depriving the grains from starch and lowering their Like under-developed nations, Pakistan’s economy is chemical and flour quality characteristics of the stored also of agricultural based where wheat is main staple food grains. Its population reached maximum when moisture and source of livelihood of most the rural community content of the grains increased above 15% [8] The use of [1, 2]. Being cultivated on 8666000 ha, its annual contact acaricides and fumigants against stored grain production in country recorded is 23.5 million tons which mites is risky for humans and animals which make grains contributes 2.6% to the total gross domestic product unfit for consumption. Moreover, resistance problems (GDP) and 12.5% to the value added in agriculture persist against number of these chemicals [9-11]. So need (Anonymous, 2011). Up to 10-25% losses are recorded all of the time is to adopt new tactics which should be over the world from all biotic and abiotic sources eco-friendly and safe for environment. Botanicals are including insect pest infestation which reduce quantity, being tested for their toxic properties against number of quality as well as nutritional value of the grains [3]. insect pests which render good control against these In Pakistan, these losses ranged from 4 to 10 % [4]. pests [12]. Many plants are known to have acaricidal Among arthropods, mites are important mainly present in efficacy against mite pests of stored grains and field large numbers covering low space in stored grains [5, 6]. crops. Some of them are used are repellents while others Rhizoglyphus tritici (Acari: Acaridae) is an important as chemosterilants or antifeedants [13, 14]. Plant extracts member of stored grain mites which multiply progressively have varying degree of toxicity to various insect pests of when temperature and moisture conditions are optimum, crops due to their different secondary metabolites [15]. esthetic and nutritional balance [7]. It affects physical,