To reduce the dependence on the sometimes unwise use of synthetic
pesticides in fruit and vegetable plantations, the toxicity and
repellence of Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) acetonic seed
extract was assayed against several insect pests. For contact toxicity,
3- to 4-d-old individuals of Aphis fabae Scopoli, A. gossypii
Glover, A. nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)
were included, as well as 1- to 7-d-old adult Tribolium castaneum
(Herbst). Repellent effect experiments were conducted on adult, 1- to
2- and 3- to 4-d old M. persicae individuals. At 60 mg mL-1, the
topical bioassay mortality percentage was significantly higher in A.
gossypii than in A. fabae and A. nerii after 12-72 h. Mortality of the
treatments on M. persicae was 87.1% and 90.0% after 24 and 48 h,
respectively, and significantly higher than A. fabae and A. nerii
during this period. At 60 mg mL-1, the mortality of T. castaneum was
much lower than that of the aphid species. The highest repellent index
(over 72%) was observed on 1- to 2-d-old M. persicae individuals
