Anti-insect activity of plant extracts from the wild flora in southeasternSpain

Plant extracts of a group of 57 species from 21 different botanical familie s, harvested from the wild in southeastern Spain, were screened for antiins ect activity using the stored grain pest Tribolium castaneum Herbst. (Coleo ptera: Tenebrionidae). Echium creticum, Lepidium graminifolium, Anacyclus c lavatus, Galactites duraei, Helichrysum decumbens, Senecio vulgaris, Pallen is spinosa, Ecballium elaterium, Haplophyllum linifolium and Solanum bonari ense gave activity in most tests performed. Ballota hirsuta produced growth inhibition in larvae. Ononix natrix, Lavatera cretica and Urginea maritima (bulb) showed contact toxicity in pupae (100% mortality). Compositae speci es had a tendency to induce either growth inhibition (with or without morta lity) or repellency on the target insect. Overall, 70% of the extracts test ed showed some activity and 21% of them (including endemisms) were more act ive and newly identified. (C) 1988 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.