The Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil Fumigation on Biochemical, Behavioral, and Physiological Parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus

This study explores the influence of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oil (EO) on the biochemical (acetylcholinesterase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), physiological (oxygen consumption), and behavioral (open field test, repellency) parameters of an important stored product insect: cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). R. officinalis EO exhibited effective insecticidal action against C. maculatus even at relatively low concentrations. LC₅₀ = 15.69 μL/L air, and was highly repellent at concentrations equal to or above LC₂₅. Statistically significant inhibition in locomotor activity occurred only after the acute exposure to the EO at LC_12.5 and LC₂₅. The oxygen consumption test showed metabolism increase only at LC₅₀. An increase in activity was observed in the case of all three enzymes examined. The presented data provides a potentially valuable resource in designing more environmentally friendly and safer insecticide agents.

Keywords: AChE; CAT; GST; enzyme activity; insecticide; locomotor activity; repellent effect; stored product protection.