Background Two plant essential oils, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and petitgrain mandarin (Citrus reticulate L.), and one pyrethroid chemical insecticide, lambda-cyhalothrin, were evaluated against two of the most important stored product insect pests, Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica, on wheat grains under laboratory conditions using mixing with feeding method. The effect of the tested materials was studied on F1 progeny of the tested insects. Chemical components of the oils and side

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... ffects on protein content percentage, total carbohydrates of wheat grain and germination were investigated. Results Results obtained showed that the two oils had a good insecticidal effect on the tested insects. Petitgrain mandarin oil was the premier. The two tested essential oils reduced the F1 progeny. In addition, the progressive of periods after storage (0–180 days) significantly reduced protein content (%) and total carbohydrates compared to control. Nearly, there were no significant differences between treatments (LC50 and LC95) of basil and (petitgrain) mandarin on the studied parameters. Germination percentages from 0 to 180 days post-storage had slight differences between control and treatments for oils. Lambda-cyhalothrin significantly reduced germination, especially with the LC95 from 60 to 180 days. Chemical analysis demonstrated that the main components of basil oil were linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol and cani, while the main components of petitgrain mandarin oil were dimethyl panthenalate, α-terpinene, β-cinem and citral accounting for 71.1 and 95% of the two oils, respectively. Conclusions The results obtained proved that the two tested plant essential oils had an obvious role in suppressing the activity of the two tested insects and can be used in an integrated pest management program. The two tested essential oils can be used as green pesticides and can be effective alternatives for chemical pesticides.