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

This study explores the influence of rosemary, <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> (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, <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> (F.). <i>R. officinalis</i> EO exhibited effective insecticidal action against <i>C. maculatus</i> 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.