Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) is a widely distributed natural tree in Sudan and many other tropical countries especially in Africa and Asia. The tree is rich in useful products with multi-uses in rural lives and industry. Hence, the current laboratory study was aimed to evaluate the insecticidal potentiality of B. aegyptiaca against the third instar larvae of Trogoderma granarium. Water and organic solvents extracts of leaves, branches and seeds were tested at different concentrations. The extracts yields, mortality and repellent effects and the consequent damage on sorghum grains were the main parameters studied. The highest extractive yield (56.7%) was obtained by the seeds hexane extract (oil). This extract also scored better mortality effects than the other treatments. The highest concentrations (2.5% and 5%) of oil showed comparably the best significant effects since the second day of treatments, and revealed progressive activities with exposure time. The latter concentration (5%) manifested 72.7% repellency for the insect larvae, and saved sorghum grains damage by 30.0% within 45 days post treatments. Nevertheless, the highest savings of grains (50.0%) that attained by the water seeds extract in spite of its inferior mortality results may needs to be clarified in further research. The findings obtained proved the insecticidal potentialities of B. aegyptiaca and encouraging a new forward plan.

Keywords: Desert date, extracts, bioassay, repellent, Trogoderma granarium.

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