An Exploring the Efficacy of Botanical Insecticides for Managing Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum) in Stored Grains: A Sustainable Approach to Food Security A Sustainable Approach to Food Security Section Articles

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##

Published Oct 15, 2026
https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v5i03.468
Download
PDF 0
Statistic

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Vol. 5 No. 03 (2026): September

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Ahad Gul Khadem
Nangarhar University
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0224-9983
Rashid Ahmad Rashid
Nangarhar University
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4225-6035
Nasratullah Arman
Nangarhar University
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6408-3759
Nasr ullah safi
Nangarhar University
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9892-2589

Abstract

The increasing global population is contributing to a growing food security crisis, with stored agricultural products facing significant threats from insect pests. Among these pests, red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) is one of the most destructive, infesting a wide range of stored grains and processed food products. This pest causes considerable damage to food quality and quantity, leading to significant economic losses in both developed and developing countries. In developing regions, up to 30% of stored grain can be lost to insect infestations. Afghanistan faces significant pest pressure, especially in the absence of widespread integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Traditional pest control methods, such as synthetic chemical pesticides, are commonly used but present environmental and health risks, particularly in resource-limited settings. The use of botanicals could help control pest populations without harming the environment, beneficial insects, or human health. Afghanistan has diverse ecosystems with a range of plant species that could serve as the basis for developing botanicals. As a result, there is a growing interest in exploring safer, more affordable alternatives. Recent research has focused on plant-derived products, which have demonstrated insecticidal and repellent properties against T. castaneum. Botanicals such as neem, eucalyptus, turmeric, garlic, lemongrass, and citrus have shown potential for controlling this pest. This paper reviews the effectiveness of various plant-based treatments for controlling T. castaneum, emphasizing their potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. Such natural protectants could significantly improve food security, particularly in subsistence farming communities where access to costly chemical pesticides is limited.

Keywords

Food security, Tribolium castaneum, Botanical Insecticides, Sustainable Pest Management

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Rashid Ahmad Rashid, Nangarhar University

Plant Projection Department

Nasratullah Arman, Nangarhar University

Plant Protection Department 

Nasr ullah safi, Nangarhar University

Plant Protection Department 

How to Cite
Khadem, A. G., Rashid, R. A., Arman, N., & safi, N. ullah. (2026). An Exploring the Efficacy of Botanical Insecticides for Managing Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum) in Stored Grains: A Sustainable Approach to Food Security: A Sustainable Approach to Food Security. Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences, 5(03). https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v5i03.468

References

  1. Abdullahi, G., Muhamad, R., & Sule, H. (2019). Biology, host range and management of red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): a review. Taraba Journal of Agricultural Research, 7(1), 48-64.
  2. Abdullahi, N., Kabir, A., & Yushau, M. (2011). Studies on the efficacy of lime peel oil in protecting stored maize against adult maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais: Motschulsky). Journal of Entomology, 8(4), 398-403.
  3. Ahmady, A., Mousa, M. A., & Zaitoun, A. A. (2016). Effect of microwave radiation on Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchidae). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 4(4), 1257-1263.
  4. Ahmed, B. I., Yusuf, S. R., & Sule, H. (2010). Effects of application rates of some plant materials on the control of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on stored millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.). Journal of Biopesticides, 3(3).
  5. Ajayi, F. A., & Rahman, S. A. (2006). Susceptibility of some staple processed meals to red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 9(9): 1744-1748.
  6. Anonymous, (1986). Identification and biology of storage insects and mite a (training manual). Natural Resources Institute (N.R.I) Chathum, London U.K.
  7. Arpitha, B. V. (2021). Studies on the Biology and Management of Rust Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in stored Sesame and Cereal Flours (Doctoral dissertation, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya Jabalpur).
  8. Bachrouch, O., Jemaa, J. M. B., Talou, T., Marzouk, B., & Abderraba, M. (2010). Fumigant toxicity of Pistacia lentiscus essential oil against Tribolium castaneum and Lasioderma serricorne. Bulletin of Insectology, 63:129-135.
  9. Baldwin, R. and Fasulo, T. R. 2014. Featuredcreatures. University of Florida. EENY-289.
  10. Batta, Y. A. (2014). Evaluation of garlic, Allium sativum, as a potential natural repellent against stored-product insects. Pest Management Science, 70(7).
  11. Beeman, R.W., Haas, S. and Friesen, K. (2012). Beetle wrangling tips (An Introduction to the care and Handling of Tribolium castaneum.Available online.
  12. Begum, M., & Sarker, M. L. (2010) Evaluation of some indigenous plant extracts against red flour beetle.
  13. Bilal, H., Akram, W., Hassan, S. A., Zia, A., Bhatti, A. R., Mastoi, M. I., & Aslam, S. (2015). Insecticidal and repellent potential of citrus essential oils against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 47(4).
  14. Bloomquist, J. R., Boina, D. R., Chow, E., Carlier, P. R., Reina, M., & Gonzalez-Coloma, A. (2008). Mode of action of the plant-derived silphinenes on insect and mammalian GABAA receptor/chloride channel complex. Pesticide biochemistry and physiology, 91(1), 17-23.
  15. CABI. (2007). Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) datasheet. Crop Protection Compendium, 2007 Edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford, UK.
  16. Chander, H., Kulkarni, S.G. And Berry, S. K., 1992. Studies on Turmeric and Mustard oil as protectant against infestation of Tribolium castaneum in stored milled rice. Journal of Insect Science, 5: 220-222.
  17. Charleston, D. S., Kfir, R., Vet, L. E. M., & Dicke, M. (2005). Behavioural responses of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to extracts derived from Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica. Bulletin of entomological research, 95(5), 457-465.
  18. Chaubey, M. K. (2007). Insecticidal activity of Trachyspermum ammi (Umbelliferae), Anethum graveolens (Umbelliferae) and Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) essential oils against stored-product beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(11), 596-600.
  19. Cox, P. D., & Simms, J. A. (1978). The susceptibility of soya bean meal to infestation by some storage insects. Journal of Stored Products Research, 14(2-3): 103-109.
  20. Devi, M. B., & Devi, N. V. (2015). Biology of rust-red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).
  21. Fathi, A., & Shakarami, J. (2014). Larvicidal effects of essential oils of five species of Eucalyptus against Tribolium confusum (du Val) and T. castaneum (Herbest).
  22. Fedina, T. Y., & Lewis, S. M. (2007). Effect of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) nutritional environment, sex, and mating status on response to commercial pheromone traps. Journal of economic entomology, 100(6): 1924-1927.
  23. Haines, C. P. (1991). Insects and arachnids of tropical stored products: their biology and identification (a training manual). 2.
  24. Haq, T. O. O. B. A., Usmani, N. F., & Abbas, T. (2005). Screening of plant leaves as grain protectants against Tribolium castaneum during storage. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 37(1), 149-153.
  25. Hill, D. S. 2002. Pests of stored products and their control. Kluwer Academic publishers, Netherlands. 476p.
  26. Ho, S. H., Koh, L., Ma, Y., Huang, Y., & Sim, K. Y. (1996). The oil of garlic, Allium sativum L.(Amaryllidaceae), as a potential grain protectant against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 9(1), 41-48.
  27. Houghton, P. J., Ren, Y., & Howes, M. J. (2006). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plants and fungi. Natural product reports, 23(2), 181-199.
  28. Hussain, A., Akram, W., & Khan, F. S. (1996). Determination of insecticide resistance in red flour bettle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) collected from Rawalpindi [Pakistan]. Pakistan Entomologist (Pakistan), 8: 1-2.
  29. Iqbal Dr, J., Jilani, G., & Aslam, M. (2015). Growth inhibiting effects of three different plant extracts on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)(Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera). Journal of Bioresource Management, 2(2), 6.
  30. Iram, N., Arshad, M., & Akhter, N. (2013). Evaluation of botanical and synthetic insecticide for the control of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). BioAssay, 8.
  31. Islam, W. (2017). Eco-friendly approaches for the management of red flour beetle: Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Science Letters, 5(2), 105-114.
  32. Jalali, M., & Nikbakht, M. (2011). Repellent activity of peppermint oil against the stored-product pest, Tribolium castaneum. Journal of Insect Science, 11(1).
  33. Jbilou, R., Ennabili, A., & Sayah, F. (2006). Insecticidal activity of four medicinal plant extracts against Triboliumcastaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(10): 936-940.
  34. Joel, O. O. (2015). Efficacy of selected plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum Herbst in stored groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). African Journal of Plant Science, 9(2), 90-96.
  35. Khattak, M.K., Broce, A.B. And Dover, B., 2001. Comparative effects of neem or mineral oil on maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamaiz Motsch. and its parasitoid, Amisopteramalus calndrae (Howard). Online Journal of biological science 1: 378-381.
  36. Khattak, S. U., Khalil, S. K., Ahmad, I., & Hussain, N. (1996). Relative susceptibility of maize cultivars to Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver).
  37. Kheradpir, N. (2014). Food preference of Tribolium castaneum among four flour types. European Journal of Experimental Biology, 4(1): 436-439.
  38. Kouninkie, H., Ngamo, L. S. T., Hance, T., & Ngassoum, M. B. (2007). Potential use of essential oils from local Cameroonian plants for the control of red flour weevil Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development, 7(5): 1-15.
  39. Krishna, P. N., & Yadav, U. (2023). Efficacy of Different Plant Extracts and Insecticide on Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in Wheat, Triticum aestivum. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13(9), 508-513.
  40. Lale, N. E. S. (1992). A laboratory study of the comparative toxicity of products from three spices to the maize weevil. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2(1), 61-64.
  41. Lale, N. E. S. (2002). Stored product entomology and acarology in tropical Africa. Mole Publications (Nig.) Maiduguri.
  42. Lale, N. E. S., & Yusuf, B. A. (2000). Insect pests infesting stored pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. in northeastern Nigeria and their damage potential. Cereal Research Communications, 181-186.
  43. Lee, S. E., Lee, B. H., Choi, W. S., Park, B. S., Kim, J. G., & Campbell, B. C. (2001). Fumigant toxicity of volatile natural products from Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L). Pest Management Science: formerly Pesticide Science, 57(6), 548-553.
  44. Li, L., & Arbogast, R. T. (1991). The effect of grain breakage on fecundity, development, survival, and population increase in maize of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of Stored Products Research, 27(2), 87-94.
  45. Liew, J., & Yong, J. W. H. (2017). Insecticidal effects of essential oils in protecting stored products from insect pests. Food Research International, 99, 137-143.
  46. Liu, Z. L., & Ho, S. H. (1999). Bioactivity of the essential oil extracted from Evodia rutaecarpa Hook f. et Thomas against the grain storage insects, Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Journal of Stored Products Research, 35(4): 317-328.
  47. Lu, H., Zhou, J., Xiong, S., & Zhao, S. (2010). Effects of low-intensity microwave radiation on Tribolium castaneum physiological and biochemical characteristics and survival. Journal of insect physiology, 56(9): 1356-1361.
  48. Makanjuola, W. A. (1989). Evaluation of extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for the control of some stored product pests. Journal of Stored Products Research, 25(4), 231-237.
  49. Mishra, B. B., Tripathi, S. P., & Tripathi, C. P. M. (2012). Response of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to potential insecticide derived from essential oil of Mentha arvensis leaves. Biological agriculture & horticulture, 28(1), 34-40.
  50. Nadeem, M., Iqbal, J., Khattak, M. K., & Shahzad, M. A. (2012). Management of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Using Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and Tumha (Citrullus colocynthis)(L.). Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 44(5): 1325-1331.
  51. Negbenebor, H. E., & Nura, S. (2024). Control of Insect Pests of Stored Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Using Botanical Pesticides. In Wheat Research and Utilization. IntechOpen.
  52. NGOLLO, E. D. (2011). Afghanistan Agricultural Inputs Project.
  53. Obeng-Ofori, D., & Reichmuth, C. H. (1999). Plant oils as potentiation agents of monoterpenes for protection of stored grains against damage by stored product beetle pests. International Journal of Pest Management, 45(2): 155-159.
  54. Obeng-Ofori, D., Reichmuth, C. H., Bekele, A. J., & Hassanali, A. (1998). Toxicity and protectant potential of camphor, a major component of essential oil of Ocimum kilimandscharicum, against four stored product beetles. International Journal of pest management, 44(4), 203-209.
  55. Odeyemi, O. O., Masika, P., & Afolayan, A. J. (2008). A review of the use of phytochemicals for insect pest control. African Plant Protection, 14(1), 1-7.
  56. Padin, S. B., Fuse, C. B., Urrutia, M. I., & Dal Bello, G. (2013). Toxicity and repellency of nine medicinal plants against Tribolium castaneum in stored wheat.
  57. Priestley, C. M., Williamson, E. M., Wafford, K. A., & Sattelle, D. B. (2003). Thymol, a constituent of thyme essential oil, is a positive allosteric modulator of human GABAA receptors and a homo‐oligomeric GABA receptor from Drosophila melanogaster. British journal of pharmacology, 140(8), 1363-1372.
  58. Ranga Rao, G. V., Rameshwar Rao, V., & Nigam, S. N. (2010). Post-harvest insect pests of groundnut and their management. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
  59. Rees, D. P. (1996). Coleoptera. In Integrated management of insect in stored product, Subramanyam, B. and Hagstrum, D. W. (Eds). Marcel Dekker, New York, p 1-39.
  60. Saeed, Q., Iqbal, N., Ahmed, F., Rehman, S., & Alvi, A. M. (2016). Screening of different plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum (herbst.) Under laboratory conditions. Sci. Int.(Lahore), 28(2), 1219.
  61. Sagheer, M., Ali, K. M., Rashid, A., Sagheer, U., and Alvi, A. (2013). Repellent and toxicological impact of acetone extracts of Nicotiana tabacum, Pegnum hermala, Saussurea costus and Salsola baryosma against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Pakistan Journal of Zoology,45(6): 1735-1739.
  62. Sagheer, M., Hasan, M., Najam-ul-Hassan, M., Farhan, M., Khan, F. Z. A., & Rahman, A. (2014). Repellent effects of selected medicinal plant extracts against rust-red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of entomology and zoology studies, 2(3), 107-110.
  63. Sahayaraj, K., & Paulraj, M. G. (2000). Impact of some plant products on the behavior of Tribolium castaneum in groundnut seed.
  64. Sahu, P. K., & Sahu, S. S. (2014). Repellent efficacy of essential oils against stored-product pests. Industrial Crops and Products, 58, 230-235.
  65. Sharma, R. K. (1999). Efficacy of neem products against storage pests in maize.
  66. Shukla, R., Srivastava, B., Kumar, R., & Dubey, N. K. (2007). Potential of some botanical powders in reducing infestation of chickpea by Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Journal of Agricultural Technology, 3(1), 11–19.
  67. Srinivasan, G. (2008). Efficacy of certain plant oils as seed protectant against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. on pigeonpea. Pesticide Research Journal, 20(1), 13–15.
  68. Suthisut, D., Fields, P. G., & Chandrapatya, A. (2011). Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from three Thai plants (Zingiberaceae) and their major compounds against Sitophilus zea mais, Tribolium castaneum and two parasitoids. Journal of Stored Products Research, 47(3): 222-230.
  69. Talukder, F. (2009). Pesticide resistance in stored-product insects and alternative biorational management: a brief review. Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences [JAMS], 14, 9-15.
  70. Tapondjou, L. A., Adler, C. L. A. C., Bouda, H., & Fontem, D. A. (2002). Efficacy of powder and essential oil from Chenopodium ambrosioides leaves as post-harvest grain protectants against six-stored product beetles. Journal of Stored Products Research, 38(4), 395-402.
  71. Tettey, E., Jonfia-Essien, W. A., & Obeng-Ofori, D. (2014). The Impact of Insect Infestation on Stored Purpled Cocoa Beans. JENRM, 1(3): 176-181.
  72. Tripathi, A. K., Upadhyay, S., Bhuiyan, M., & Bhattacharya, P. R. (2009). A review on prospects of essential oils as biopesticide in insect-pest managemen. J. Pharmacog. Phytother, 15, 052-053.
  73. Tripathi, A.K., Prajapati, V., Verma, N., Bahl, J. R., Bansal, R.P., Khanuja, S.P.S. And Kumar, S., 2002. Bioactivities of the leaf essential oil of Cucuma longa (Var. Ch- 66) on three species of stored products beetles. Journal of economic Entomology, 95: 183-189.
  74. White, G. G., & Lambkin, T. A. (1988). Damage to wheat grain by larvae of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of stored products research, 24(2): 61-65.
  75. Xie, Y.S., Fields, P.G. And Isman, M.B., 1995. Repellency and toxicity of Azadirachtin and Neem concentrates to three stored-product beetles. Journal of economic Entomology, 88: 1024-1031.

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.