Toxicity and Repellency of Artemisia scoparia Essential Oil and Leaf Powder Against the German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

Hadiza Dalhat Saminu, Nasiru Hassan Wagini

Abstract


The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is among the most prevalent urban pests and presents considerable public health risks through food contamination and pathogen transmission. Growing resistance to synthetic insecticides and environmental safety concerns have increased interest in plant-based alternatives for cockroach management. This study assessed the insecticidal toxicity of essential oil and the repellent activity of plant powder derived from Artemisia scoparia against B. germanica under laboratory conditions. Essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger apparatus, yielding 0.6 ± 0.1% (v/w). Contact toxicity was measured using the CDC bottle bioassay at concentrations of 1-10% (v/v), while repellency of plant powder (1-5% w/w) was evaluated with a three-chamber choice apparatus. Mortality increased significantly with both concentration and exposure time. Higher concentrations (7-10%) induced rapid knockdown, resulting in 100% mortality within 30-45 minutes, whereas lower concentrations required longer exposure to achieve similar outcomes. Lethal concentration analysis indicated a pronounced time-dependent increase in toxicity, with LC₅₀ decreasing from 6.98% at initial exposure to 0.73% after 60 minutes. In repellency assays, A. scoparia powder demonstrated strong behavioural deterrence, with repellency ranging from 83-100% and complete avoidance observed at 4-5% concentrations within 12 hours. These results indicate that A. scoparia exhibits both rapid insecticidal and potent repellent properties against B. germanica. The findings underscore the potential of this plant as an eco-friendly and locally available botanical agent for integrated pest management programs targeting urban cockroach infestations. Further research involving chemical characterization and field evaluation is recommended to facilitate the development of practical formulations. 


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