Research on Insecticidal Plants in Tunisia: Review and ... - Iresa

Review Article 

<strong>Research</strong> on Insecticidal Plants in Tunisia: Review and 

Discussion of Methodological Approaches 

Ikbal Chaieb, Laboratoire d’entomologie, Centre Régional des Recherches en 

Horticulture et Agriculture Biologique, Université de Sousse, 4042, Chott-Mariem, 

Tunisia 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

ABSTRACT 

Chaieb, I. 2011. <strong>Research</strong> on insecticidal plants in Tunisia: review and discussion of 

methodological approaches. Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 6: 109-125. 

Plants synthesize several defense substances against pest attacks. One of the research approaches is to 

study these plants and their extracts to identify a possible source of natural insecticides. This review is 

a synthesis of main works realized in Tunisia in this field. Methodological approaches in choices of 

tested plants, target insect pests, extracts, doses and bioassays made by researchers were discussed. 

This work would form a data base for future research on bioinsecticides in Tunisia. 

Keywords: Bioassays, insecticidal plants, methodological approaches, Tunisia 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

INTRODUCTION 

Since several decades, chemists, 

physiologists, biochemists and specialists 

of the plant protection tries to search for 

new plant derived molecules permitting to 

manage effectively pests with a minimum 

injury to the environment. The evolution 

equipped organisms with substances 

implied in the communications between 

species (allelochemical substances and 

pheromones) presented a large variety of 

effects. Among these compounds, many 

molecules with defensive action against 

pests were identified. More than 200 plant 

species having insecticidal properties 

were indexed (44, 46). 

Corresponding author: Ikbal Chaieb 

Email: ikbal_c@yahoo.fr 

Accepted for publication 12 February 2012 

This is a review of the principal 

researches realized in this field in Tunisia 

with a critical discussion of the 

methodological approaches used in these 

studies. 

METHODOLOGICAL APPROA- 

CHES 

Plant species choice. 

The choice of the plant to be tested 

is done according to three approaches: 

- A screening approach in which 

tested plants are chosen randomly where 

the author chooses a relatively important 

number of species on which he practices a 

screening for one or more activities. This 

kind of experiments is generally made to 

refine the selection of interesting plants 

that will be used in deeper investigations 

(18, 19, 51). 

- An intuitive approach where plants 

are not chosen randomly but based on 

their probability to contain active 

Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 109 Vol. 6, No. 2, 2011

molecules (5, 54). Several cases can be 

cited: 

● The activity of the plant was 

observed accidentally by the author or 

by other persons. The toxicity of 

Cestrum parqui for example was 

observed by a scientist trying to 

nourish his locust breeding with 

leaves of this plant. Since, many 

research works were interested to this 

phenomenon (5). 

● The plant can be used 

traditionally by farmers for its 

insecticidal/insectifuge activities. This 

ethnobotanical use can be the support 

of scientific investigations. A 

Tunisian farmer uses a marine plant 

(Posidonia oceanica) to protect potato 

tuber in storage. This plant reduces 

attacks of Phthorimea operculella. 

This observation was the base of a 

scientific study on plant insecticidal 

activity (54). 

● Plants can be chosen according 

to the chemical nature of its 

substances. Certain substance families 

are known for their insecticidal 

activity. Chenopodium murale and C. 

album were tested for their 

insecticidal activity because they are 

known for their richness in saponins, 

molecules largely described as 

insecticides (6). Ecballium elaterium 

is studied for its insecticidal 

proprieties because it contains 

cucurbitacins, substances known for 

their interference with insect 

hormonal system (10). 

- The third approach is a 

combination of the two previous 

approaches. In this case, the author 

realizes a screening of a plant group 

(generally systemically close), selected 

intuitively. Several Chrysanthemum 

species are screened for their insecticidal 

activity because some species are used to 

extract a biological insecticide: the 

pyrethrum (35, 36, 37). 

Plant part choice. 

The majority of Tunisian researches 

on insecticidal plants use foliage 

preparations or extracts. Few scientists 

use other plant organs (fruits, flowers, 

seeds, stems,…). In screening 

approaches, the researcher generally tests 

all plant parts, each part alone, but in an 

intuitive approach, one plant part is 

chosen according to ethnobotanical 

observations or chemical constituents. 

Extract choice. 

About 75% of Tunisian studies on 

insecticidal plants test crude plant 

extracts, 30% test essential oil plant 

extracts, only 3% test simplified fractions, 

and 4% test purified substances (Table 1). 

Table 1. Tunisian insecticidal plants and their extract types evaluated in biotests 

Plant 

Entire plant 

Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 110 Vol. 6, No. 2, 2011 

Crude extract 

Fraction 

Essential oil 

Pure 

substance 

References 

Ajuga pseudoiva X X (18, 19) 

Anacyclus clavatus X (43) 

Anacyclus crytolepidioides X X X (20, 52)

Arisarum vulgare X (19) 

Artemisia herba alba X (18) 

Arthrocnemum indicum X (51) 

Asparagus officinalis X (18) 

Atriplex inflata X (51) 

Atriplex parvifolia X (51) 

Atriplex portulacoides X (51) 

Atriplex semibaccata X (51) 

Buddleia madagascariensis X (18) 

Capsicum annuum X (18) 

Centaurium pulchellum X (51) 

(2, 3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 

Cestrum parqui X X X X X 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 

29, 30, 31, 32) 

Chaetomorpha linum X (1) 

Chamaemelum fuscatum X (43) 

Chenopodium album ssp. eu-album X (6) 

Chenopodium album ssp. opilifolium X (6) 

Chenopodium amaranticolor X (6) 

Chenopodium murale X (6) 

Chrysanthemum coronarium X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum fuscatum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum grandiflorum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum macrotum X X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum myconis X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum paludosum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum segetum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum trifurcatum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Citrus bigaradia X (11) 

Codium bursa X (1) 

Coronilla scropiodes X (19) 

Cynomorium coccineum X (18, 51) 

Ecballium elaterium X (10) 

Echiochilon fruticosum X (53) 

Eucalyptus astringens X (39) 

Eucalyptus bicolor X (39) 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis X (38) 

Eucalyptus dumosa X (39) 

Eucalyptus gomphocephala X (11) 

Eucalyptus lehmannii X (39) 

Eucalyptus rudis X (38) 


Eucalyptus torquata X (39) 

Eucalyptus transcontinantalis X (39) 

Euphorbia helioscopia X (51) 

Euphoria lunga X (42) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. prostrata X (51) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. pyramidata X (51) 

Filago mareotica X (51) 

Frankenia laevis X (48, 49, 50, 51) 

Frankenia pulverulenta X (51) 

Geranium rosat X (18) 

Helianthemum kahiricum X (18) 

Herniaria hirsuta var. cinerea X (51) 

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis X (18) 

Inula Crythmoides X (40) 

Inula graveolens X (40) 

Inula viscosa X (40) 

Lamarckia aurea X (51) 

Lantana camara X (18) 

Lavandula officinalis X (41) 

Lecanthemum parthemum X (43) 

Limonium echioides X (48, 49, 50) 

Limonium vulgare X (51) 

Mantisalca duriaei X (22) 

Marrubiumvulgare X (19) 

Matthiola longipetala X (33) 

Melia azedarach X X (11, 17, 21, 45) 

Mesembryanthemum cristallinum X (51) 

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum X (51) 

Nerium oleander X (19) 

Ocimum basilicum X (19) 

Olea europea X X 

(5, 11, 13, 14, 15, 

16) 

Ononis natrix X (19) 

Peganum harmala X (18) 

Pistacia lentiscus X (7, 8, 9, 41) 

Plantago coronopus X (51) 

Posidonia oceanica X (54) 

Quillaja saponaria X (47) 

Reichardia tingitana X (51) 

Rhaponticum acaule X (22) 


Rosemarinus officinalis X (11) 

Salicornia fruticosa X (51) 

Salsola kali X (51) 

Salvia aegyptiaca X (19) 

Salvia officinalis X (19) 

Salvia verbenacea X (19) 

Schinus molle X X (13, 14, 15, 17) 

Scorzonera undulata X (22) 

Spergularia diandra X (51) 

Spergularia salina var. typica X (51) 

Stipa tenacissima X (18) 

Suaeda fructicosa X (48, 49, 50) 

Tamarix boveana X (48, 49, 50) 

Tapsia garganica. X (19) 

Teucrium polium X (19) 

Thymelaea hirsuta X (19) 

Thymus capitatus, X (11) 

Trigonella maritima var. leiosperma X (51) 

Ulva lactuca X (1) 

Urtica urens X X (17, 45) 

Zygophyllum album X (18, 51) 

Several studies use the whole fresh 

plant to test its toxicity and in this case, 

the plant is presented as insect food (5, 

15) as generally done for Cestrum parqui 

(5) and Olea europea (14, 15). The plant 

can also be dried and ground to powder 

which is incorporated in insect artificial 

diet (case of C. parqui and 

Chrysanthemum species) (25, 35). 

Many studies try to obtain crude 

extracts carried out using water or organic 

solvents. In screening approach, scientists 

make generally a series of extractions for 

some plants using solvents with different 

polarities (methanol, ethanol, ethyl 

acetate, chloroform,…). Simplified crude 

extracts can also be prepared and obtained 

from crude one from which a group or a 

family of substances is isolated (saponins 

for example). Fractions obtained after 

column chromatographic separation can 

also be used in insecticidal tests (12, 19, 

24). Pure insecticidal substances may be 

obtained utilizing finer chromatographic 

techniques (HPLC, TLC…). In few cases, 

the structure of these substances can be 

determined based on spectroscopic 

techniques (GC-MS, NMR,…) (18, 24, 

51). 

We can notice that biologists and 

agronomists use generally powder and 

crude extracts, without any tentative of 

purification of crude extracts, even in the 

presence of a significant insecticide 

activity. However, chemists use generally 

fractions and pure extracts, but they do 

not look for further applied experiments 

even in the presence of a high activity. 

Target insect choice. 

Tribolium species (T. confusum and 

T. castaneum) are the most targeted insect 


pests in biotests. About 57% of plants 

were tested against these two species, 

37% against Spodoptera littoralis but 

only 4% and 5% against Schistocerca 

gregaria and aphid species, respectively 

(Table 2). 

Table 2. Tunisian insecticidal plants and targeted insect species in biotests 

Plant 

S. littorlis 


S .gregaria 

Tribolium spp. 

Aphids 

Others 

References 

Ajuga pseudoiva X (18, 19) 

Anacyclus clavatus 

X (43) 

Anacyclus crytolepidioides X (20, 52) 

Arisarum vulgare X (19) 

Artemisia herba alba X (18) 

Arthrocnemum indicum X (51) 

Asparagus officinalis X (18) 

Atriplex inflata X (51) 

Atriplex parvifolia X (51) 

Atriplex portulacoides X (51) 

Atriplex semibaccata X (51) 

Buddleia madagascariensis X (18) 

Capsicum annuum X (18) 

Centaurium pulchellum X (51) 

(2, 3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 17, 23, 

Cestrum parqui X X X X X 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 

31, 32) 

Chaetomorpha linum X X (1) 

Chamaemelum fuscatum 

X (43) 

Chenopodium album ssp. eu-album X (6) 

Chenopodium album ssp. opilifolium X (6) 

Chenopodium amaranticolor X (6) 

Chenopodium murale X (6) 

Chrysanthemum coronarium X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum fuscatum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum grandiflorum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum macrotum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum myconis X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum paludosum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum segetum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Chrysanthemum trifurcatum X X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

Citrus bigaradia X (11)

Codium bursa X X (1) 

Coronilla scropiodes X (19) 

Cynomorium coccineum X X (18, 51) 

Ecballium elaterium X (10) 

Echiochilon fruticosum 

X (53) 

Eucalyptus astringens X (39) 

Eucalyptus bicolor X (39) 


Eucalyptus dumosa X (39) 

Eucalyptus gomphocephala X (11) 

Eucalyptus lehmannii X (39) 


Eucalyptus torquata X (39) 

Eucalyptus transcontinantalis X (39) 

Euphorbia helioscopia X (51) 

Euphoria lunga X (42) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. prostrata X (51) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. pyramidata X (51) 

Filago mareotica X (51) 

Frankenia laevis X (48, 49, 50, 51) 

Frankenia pulverulenta X (51) 

Geranium rosat X (18) 

Helianthemum kahiricum X (18) 

Herniaria hirsuta var. cinerea X (51) 

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis X (18) 

Inula Crythmoides 

Inula graveolens 

Inula viscosa 

X (40) 

X (40) 

X (40) 

Lamarckia aurea X (51) 

Lantana camara X (18) 

Lavandula officinalis X (41) 

Lecanthemum parthemum 

X (43) 

Limonium echioides X (48, 49, 50) 

Limonium vulgare X (51) 

Mantisalca duriaei X (22) 

Marrubiumvulgare X (19) 

Matthiola longipetala X (33) 

Melia azedarach X X (11, 17, 21, 45) 

Mesembryanthemum cristallinum X (51) 

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum X (51) 


Nerium oleander X (19) 

Ocimum basilicum X (19) 

Olea europea X X (5, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16) 

Ononis natrix X (19) 

Peganum harmala X (18) 

Pistacia lentiscus X (7, 8, 9, 41) 

Plantago coronopus X (51) 

Posidonia oceanica X X (54) 

Quillaja saponaria X (47) 

Reichardia tingitana X (51) 

Rhaponticum acaule X (22) 

Rosemarinus officinalis X (11) 

Salicornia fruticosa X (51) 

Salsola kali X (51) 

Salvia aegyptiaca X (19) 

Salvia officinalis X (19) 

Salvia verbenacea X (19) 

Schinus molle X X X (13, 14, 15, 17) 

Scorzonera undulata X (22) 

Spergularia diandra X (51) 

Spergularia salina var. typica X (51) 

Stipa tenacissima X (18) 

Suaeda fructicosa X (48, 49, 50) 

Tamarix boveana X (48, 49, 50) 

Tapsia garganica. X (19) 

Teucrium polium X (19) 

Thymelaea hirsuta X (19) 

Thymus capitatus X (11) 

Trigonella maritima var. leiosperma X (51) 

Ulva lactuca X X (1) 

Urtica urens X (17, 45) 

Zygophyllum album X X (18, 51) 

In general, insect choice is done 

according to its availability. In fact, the 

number of insects must be sufficient. 

Scientists may obtain insects with 

sufficient number by laboratory breeding 

(Spodoptera littoralis (18)) or mass 

trapping (Culex pipiens (23)). 

Generally, physiological 

experiments (ablation, organ samples, 

hemolymph samples,…) are realized on 

big size insects such as S. gregaria and S. 

littoralis (2, 13, 32). However, in 

screening experiments, scientists use 

small size insects as T. confusum, because 

it permits easier and cheaper experiments. 


In experiments performed with pure 

substances, it is preferable to use small 

size insects allowing the use of small 

quantities of the isolated substances. The 

choice of insect species is influenced by 

the nature of the substance, especially its 

solvency. It is for example difficult to use 

certain organic solvents on insect because 

of their toxicity. In field experiments, it is 

difficult to make an appropriate choice of 

the target insect. For example, the 

scientist tests the effect of an extract on a 

range of insects as all aphid species 

infesting a crop (17). 

The choice of insect stage to carry 

out the tests depends mainly on bioassay 

type. For example, in the case of toxicity 

by ingestion, it is more frequent to use the 

larval stage, because it is the stage 

allowing maximum food catch. However, 

in contact toxicity, experiments should be 

done on egg or adult stages. The choice of 

the stage can be determined by treatment 

applicability. For example, it is more 

difficult to treat adult mosquitoes which 

are mobile than to treat their larvae 

gathered in lodgings (23). 

Biological test choice. 

Tunisian scientists use mainly 

laboratory toxicity and behavior test with 

76% of total tested plants. Only 4% of 

plants were tested in the field and 4% 

were used for bio-physiological 

investigations (Table 3). 

Table 3. Distribution of Tunisian insecticidal plants according to the nature of the study. 

Plant 

Laboratory 

toxicity tests 

Behavior studies 

Physiological 

studies 


Field toxicity 

References 

Ajuga pseudoiva 

X (18, 19) 

Anacyclus clavatus 

X (43) 

Anacyclus crytolepidioides 

X X (20, 52) 

Arisarum vulgare 

X (19) 

Artemisia herba alba 

X (18) 

Arthrocnemum indicum 

X X (51) 

Asparagus officinalis 

X (18) 

Atriplex inflata 

X X (51) 

Atriplex parvifolia 

X X (51) 

Atriplex portulacoides 

X X (51) 

Atriplex semibaccata 

X X (51) 

Buddleia madagascariensis 

X (18) 

Capsicum annuum 

X (18) 

Centaurium pulchellum 

X X (51) 

(2, 3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 17, 23, 

Cestrum parqui X X X X 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 

32) 

Chaetomorpha linum 

X X (1)

Chamaemelum fuscatum 

Chenopodium album ssp. eu-album 

Chenopodium album ssp. opilifolium 

Chenopodium amaranticolor 

Chenopodium murale 

Chrysanthemum coronarium 

Chrysanthemum fuscatum 

Chrysanthemum grandiflorum 

Chrysanthemum macrotum 

Chrysanthemum myconis 

Chrysanthemum paludosum 

Chrysanthemum segetum 

Chrysanthemum trifurcatum 

Citrus bigaradia 

Codium bursa 

Coronilla scropiodes 

Cynomorium coccineum 

Ecballium elaterium 

Echiochilon fruticosum 

Eucalyptus astringens 

Eucalyptus bicolor 

X (43) 

X X (6) 

X X (6) 

X X (6) 

X X (6) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X X (11, 35, 36, 37) 

X (11) 

X X (1) 

X (19) 

X X (18, 51) 

X X (10) 

X X (53) 

X (39) 

X (39) 


Eucalyptus dumosa, 

X (39) 

Eucalyptus gomphocephala 

X (11) 

Eucalyptus lehmannii 

X (39) 


Eucalyptus torquata 

X (39) 

Eucalyptus transcontinantalis, 

X (39) 

Euphorbia helioscopia 

X X (51) 

Euphoria lunga 

X X (42) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. prostrata X X (51) 

Filago germanica ssp. spathulata var. pyramidata 

Filago mareotica 

Frankenia laevis 

Frankenia pulverulenta 

Geranium rosat 

Helianthemum kahiricum 

Herniaria hirsuta var. cinerea 

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 

Inula crythmoides 

X X (51) 

X X (51) 

X X (48, 49, 50, 51) 

X X (51) 

X (18) 

X (18) 

X X (51) 

X (18) 

X (40) 


Inula graveolens 

X (40) 

Inula viscosa 

X (40) 

Lamarckia aurea 

X X (51) 

Lantana camara 

X (18) 

Lavandula officinalis 

X (41) 

Lecanthemum parthemum 

X (43) 

Limonium echioides 

X X (48, 49, 50) 

Limonium vulgare 

X X (51) 

Mantisalca duriaei 

X X (22) 

Marrubiumvulgare 

X (19) 

Matthiola longipetala 

X X (33) 

Melia azedarach 

X X (11, 17, 21, 45) 

Mesembryanthemum cristallinum 

X X (51) 

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum 

X X (51) 

Nerium oleander 

X (19) 

Ocimum basilicum 

X (19) 

Olea europea X X X (5, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16) 

Ononis natrix 

X (19) 

Peganum harmala 

X (18) 

Pistacia lentiscus 

X (7, 8, 9, 41) 

Plantago coronopus 

X X (51) 

Posidonia oceanica 

X X (54) 

Quillaja saponaria 

X X (47) 

Reichardia tingitana 

X X (51) 

Rhaponticum acaule 

X X (22) 

Rosemarinus officinalis 

X (11) 

Salicornia fruticosa 

X X (51) 

Salsola kali 

X X (51) 

Salvia aegyptiaca 

X (19) 

Salvia officinalis 

X (19) 

Salvia verbenacea 

X (19) 

Schinus molle 

X X X (13, 14, 15, 17) 

Scorzonera undulata 

X X (22) 

Spergularia diandra 

X X (51) 

Spergularia salina var. typica 

X X (51) 

Stipa tenacissima 

X (18) 

Suaeda fructicosa 

X X (48, 49, 50) 

Tamarix boveana 

X X (48, 49, 50) 

Tapsia garganica. 

X (19) 

Teucrium polium 

X (19) 


Thymelaea hirsuta 

Thymus capitatus, 

Trigonella maritima var. leiosperma 

Ulva lactuca 

Urtica urens 

Zygophyllum album 

Biological tests on insects are 

multiple; it is possible to gather them in 

three big groups. 

Toxicity tests. These tests focused 

on the treated insect mortality counting 

after a period of time from the beginning 

of the experiment. Treatment can be 

applied with different manner, permitting 

to define several sorts of toxicities: 

- Contact toxicity: it consists in 

making a contact between the insect body 

and tested substances or extracts, many 

techniques are used: topic application 

(10), pulverization (45), treated filter 

paper test (47), fumigation (7),… 

- Ingestion toxicity: it consists in 

treating (natural or artificial) food with 

tested (natural or in solution) substances 

(25). 

- Artificial introduction: tested 

substances or extracts are introduced 

artificially in insect body. Two modes of 

introduction can be made, i) injection of 

solution into the body of the insect (32), 

ii) forced ingestion (cramming) (29) and 

iii) grafting (introduction of solid 

substances under the insect cuticle) (32). 

This type of experiment is generally done 

on locust for physiological study aims. 

- Field toxicity: it consists in 

performing treatment approaching as 

possible as the natural pest control 

conditions (17). 

Behavior tests. The aim of these 

studies is to identify behavior 

modifications in the presence of tested 

X (19) 

X (11) 

X X (51) 

X X (1) 

X (17, 45) 

X X (18, 51) 

substances. Two types of behavior tests 

are realized: antifeedancy and repulsivity 

tests. Antifeedancy tests permit the 

determination of food consumption 

reduction caused by the treatment (31). 

Repulsivity tests consist in measuring the 

faculty of a substance to repulse an insect 

(26); this repulsion appears on the level of 

moving, food rejection and oviposition. 

Antifeedant substances are generally 

perceived by gustatory receptors (in tarsis 

and mouthparts) whereas repulsive 

substances are commonly volatiles and 

perceived by olfactory receptors in 

antenna. Some other experiments deal 

with the opposite effects (phagostimulant 

and attractive substances) to bait insects 

(35). 

Physiological experiments. Generally, 

scientists try to identify the effect of 

tested substances on growth, weight gain, 

stage duration, fertility and fecundity, 

anatomy and morphology of insects. 

Physiological experiments are installed 

according to the nature of observed 

symptoms. For example, when substances 

cause necrosis, researcher envisages 

histological studies (32). 

In Tunisia, few works concerned the 

mode of action. They are often limited to 

description of histological modifications 

and protein quantifications (27). It is also 

noticed that authors descript general 

effects due to any toxicity symptom 

(weight reduction, fertility reduction, 

cytotoxicity,…). It is noticed also that 

physiological experiments are often not 


done following a precise hypothesis about 

the mode of action but made according to 

the available techniques. 

Dose choice. 

In screening approaches, authors 

often use only one higher dose to induce 

maximum effect (about 10 -3 v/v for crude 

extracts and 10 -6 v/v for pure substances). 

In the case of intuitive approach, authors 

use multiple doses with decreasing 

concentrations. We noticed that the doses 

used are often chosen randomly whereas 

it is more correct to carry out a 

preliminary test to choose a concentration 

range which must be in geometric 

progression. 

We also notice that many authors 

present the results as percentages of 

mortality in tables or histograms whereas 

in these cases, it is better to calculate 

LD50 or LT50. In rare cases where these 

parameters are calculated, it was made 

manually by the interpolation method 

whereas it is more adequate to use probit 

method advised in toxicological studies. 

It is also important to note that most 

authors use the extracts to be tested 

without positive control. Normally, in any 

insecticidal activity test, scientist must be 

able to compare results with a reference 

product; this is neglected in the majority 

of works. 

CONCLUSION 

A number of 102 plants was tested 

for insecticidal activities; crude extracts 

are mainly employed but also simplified 

fractions and pure substances were 

assayed. Two types of approaches are 

appointed to choose the tested plants, 

intuitive and screening. 

Insect choice depends primarily on 

species availability in a sufficient number 

and breedings are generally carried out to 

this purpose. The choice of insect species 

can also be influenced by its economic 

importance, by the objective of the 

research and by the nature and quantity of 

tested materials. 

Several experimental techniques can 

be carried out. Generally, scientists seek 

to determine the toxicity (mortality) of 

tested extracts and substances but they 

can also study biological, physiological or 

behavior effects of these substances. The 

studies of the mode of action of 

insecticidal substances are rare. 

Major works in the field of plant 

pesticides are limited to biological 

activity observations in the laboratory 

without practical consequences. This can 

be the result of difficulties of developing 

field experiments and to a deficiency in 

collaboration between chemists and 

agronomists. 

The plants offer a significant 

insecticidal potential permitting durable 

development, preserving biodiversity and 

environmental protection, but many 

efforts are needed to provide for 

developing researches and creating 

cohesion between the various actors 

working in this field. 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

RESUME 

Chaieb I. 2011. Recherche sur les plantes insecticides en Tunisie: revue de littérature et 

discussion des approches méthodologiques. Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 6: 109-125. 

Les plantes synthétisent un grand nombre de substances de défense contre les attaques de ravageurs. 

L'une des approches de recherche est d'étudier ces plantes et leurs extraits pour identifier une source 

possible d'insecticides naturels. Cette revue constitue une synthèse des principaux travaux réalisés en 

Tunisie dans ce domaine. Les choix des plantes testées, des insectes, des extraits, des doses et des 


essais biologiques faits par les chercheurs sont discutés. Ce travail pourrait constituer une base de 

données pour des études futures sur les bioinsecticides en Tunisie. 

Mots clés: Approches méthodologiques, essais biologiques, plantes insecticides, Tunisie. 

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

ﻣ 

. ﻟا تﺎهﺎﺗﻼﻟ ﻗﺎﻣو ضﻋ : ﻧﺗ ﻲﻓ تاﻟ ةﻟا تﺎﺗﺎﻟا لﺣ ﺑ . 2011 . لﺎﻗإ ،ﻳﺎﻟا 

Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection 6: 109-125. 

ردﺎﻣ ﻟ ﺎﻬﺗﺎﻣو تﺎﺗﺎﻟا هه ﺳارد ﺗ . تﺎﻓﻵا ﻋﺎﻓﻟا داﻟا ﻣ اآ ادﻋ تﺎﺗﺎﻟا ﻊّﺗ 

ﻲﻟا ﻟا لﺎﻋﻸﻟ ادﺟ ضﻌﻟا اه ﻳ . ﻌﻟا ﻟا تﺎهﺎﺗﻻا ﻣ اﺣاو ﻌﻟا ﻳﻟا تاﻟ ﻣ 

تﺎﻋﻟاو تﺎﻟاو تاﻟاو ةﻟا تﺎﺗﺎﻟ ﺣﺎﻟا رﺎﺧا ﻗﺎﻣ ﺗ . لﺎﻟا اه ﻲﻓ ﻧﺗ ﻲﻓ تﻧأ 

. تاﻟ ﺟﻟﻟا تاﻟا لﺣ ﻣ تﺎﺳارﻟ تﺎﻧﺎﺑ ةﻋﺎﻗ ﻌﻟا اه ﻳ نأ ﻳ . ﺟﻟﻟا برﺎﻟاو 

تاﻟ ةﻣ تﺎﺗﺎﻧ ،ﺑ هﺎﻣ ،ﻧﺗ ،ﺟﻟﺑ تارﺎﺧا : ﺣﺎﻣ تﺎآ 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

LITERATURE CITED 

1. Akkari, F. 2006. Recherche d’activités pesticides 

dans les extraits de quelques algues marines. 

Projet de Fin d’Etudes en Biologie Marine. 

Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de 

Monastir, Université de Monastir, Tunisia, 27 

pp. 

2. Ammar, M. and Ncir, S. 2006. Action des feuilles 

de Cestrum parqui incorporées en poudre dans 

le milieu artificiel sur le tube digestif et la 

digestion chez Schistocerca gregaria au 5 ème 

stade larvaire. Page 123. In: Congrès 

International d’Entomologie et de 

Nématologie, Avril 17-20, Alger, Algeria. 

3. Ammar, M. and Ncir, S. 2008. Incorporation of 

Cestrum parquii (Solanaceae) leaves in an 

artificial diet affected larval longevity and gut 

structure of the desert locust Schistocerca 

gregaria. Tunisian J. Plant. Prot. 3: 27-34. 

4. Ammar, M. 2007. Caractérisation physiologique 

de la transformation phasaire chez le criquet 

pèlerin, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. 

(Orthoptera, Acrididae), sa contribution à la 

connaissance de la dynamique des essaims et 

influence de quelques composants végétaux sur 

le développement. Doctorat d’Etat en Sciences 

Agronomiques. INAT, Université de Carthage, 

Tunisia, 230 pp. 

5. Ammar, M., Barbouche, N., and Ben Hamouda, 

M.H. 1995. Action des extraits décomposés des 

feuilles de Cestrum parquii et de Olea europea 

sur la longévité et la croissance du criquet 

pèlerin Schistocerca gregaria. Med. Fac. 

Lanbouww. Unigent. 60: 831-836. 

6. Ayachi, F. 2008. Activités pesticides de quelques 

extraits de plantes du genre Chenopodium. 

Projet de Fin d’Etudes en Génie Biologique. 

Institut Supérieur des Sciences Biologiques 

Appliquées de Tunis, Université d'El Manar, 


7. Bachrouch, O., Mediouni-Ben Jemâa, J., Talou, 

T., Marzouk, B., and Abderraba, M. 2010a. 

Fumigant toxicity of Pistacia lentiscus essential 

oil against Tribolium castaneum and 

Lasioderma serricorne. Bull. Insectol. 63: 129- 

135. 

8. Bachrouch, O., Mediouni-Ben Jemâa, J., Chaieb, 

I., Talou, T., and Marzouk, B. 2010b. 

Insecticidal activity of Pistacia lentiscus 

essential oil on Tribolium castaneum 

(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as alternative to 

chemical control in storage. Tunisian J. Plant 

Prot. 5: 63-70. 

9. Bachrouch, O., Mediouni-Ben Jemâa, J., Waness, 

A.W., Talou, T., Marzouk, B., and Abderraba, 

M. 2010. Composition and insecticidal activity 

of essential oil from Pistacia lentiscus L. 

against Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller and 

Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: 

Pyralidae). J. Stored. Prod. Res. 46: 242-247. 

10. Baouandi, M. 2009. Activité insecticide des 

extraits d’Ecballium elaterium sur le puceron 

Aphis fabae. Mémoire de Fin d’Etudes en 

Analyse Chimique Appliquée à 

l'Environnement. Institut Supérieur des 

Sciences et Technologies de l’Environnement 

de Borj-Cédria, Université de Carthage, 


11. Barbouche, N., Jeridi, S., and Ben Dhaou, S. 

2007. Alternatives de lutte biologique contre 

Sitophilus oryzae par l’utilisation des huiles 

essentielles et des poudres de plantes. Rev. 

INAT. 22: 85-94. 

12. Barbouche, N., Hajjem, B., Lognay, G., and 

Ammar, M. 2001. Contribution à l'étude de 


l'activité biologique d'extrais de feuilles de 

Cestrum parquii L'Herit. sur le criquet pèlerin 

Schistocera gregaria. Biotechnol. Agr. Soc. 

Environ. 5: 85-90. 

13. Barbouche, N., Couillaud, F., Girardie, J., 

Ammar, M., and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 1996. 

Action d'une alimentation à base de feuilles 

d'olivier (Olea europea) sur la biosynthèse in 

vitro de la JH III par la corpora allata chez 

Schistocerca gregaria au cours de la 

vitellogenèse. Arc. Inst. Pasteur. 73: 9-12 

14. Barbouche, N., Ben Salah, H., Ben Hamouda, 

M.H., and Ammar, M. 1995a. Incidence de 

l'alimentation à base de feuilles d'olivier (Olea 

europea) sur l'ovogenèse de Schistocerca 

gregaria Forskal. Ann. INRAT. 68: 31-44. 

15. Barbouche, N., Ammar, M., and Ben Hamouda, 

M.H. 1995b. Nouvelles approches de lutte 

antiacridienne moyennant l'utilisation de 

substances naturelles: effet de la fonction 

protéique hydrosoluble de trois plantes Cestrum 

parquii, Schinus molle et Olea europea sur la 

longévité et la croissance de Schistocerca 

gregaria Forsk (Orthoptère, Acrididae). Pages 

443-447. In: Actes des 2èmes Journées 

Nationales sur les Acquis de la Recherche 

Agronomiques et Vétérinaires, Décembre 2-4, 

1995, Hammamet, Tunisia. 

16. Barbouche, N., Dhouib, S., Ammar, M., and Ben 

Hamouda, M.H. 1996. Action de trois substrats 

alimentaires de bersim, faux poivrier et olivier 

sur le développement et la structure de la 

cuticule chez le criquet pellerin. Ann. INRAT. 

69: 131-146. 

17. Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Chaieb I., and Ben 

Hamouda M.H. 2002. Sur l’utilisation d’extraits 

de plantes dans le contrôle de populations de 

pucerons sous abri. Pages 162-165. In: Actes 

des 8èmes Journées Nationales sur les Résultats 

de la Recherche Agronomique, Novembre 13- 

14, 2001, Nabeul, Tunisia. 

18. Ben Jannet, H., Harzallah-Skhiri, F., Mighri, Z., 

Simmonds, M.S.J., and Blaney, W.M. 2001. 

Antifeedant activity of plant extracts and of new 

natural diglyceride compounds isolated from 

Ajuga pseudoiva leaves against Spodoptera 

littoralis larvae. Ind. Crop. Prod. 14: 213-222. 

19. Ben Jannet, H., Harzallah-Skhiri, F., Mighri, Z., 

Simmonds, M.S.J., and Blaney, W.M. 2000. 

Responses of Spodoptera littoralis larvae to 

Tunisian plant extracts and to neo-clerodane 

diterpenoids isolated from Ajuga pseudoiva 

leaves. Fitoterapia 71: 105-112. 

20. Bergaoui, A., Sakka-Rouis, L., Ben Jannet, H., 

Ben Halima-Kamel, M., and Mighri, Z. 2006. 

Etude biologique et chimique de l’extrait 

chloroformique de la plante Anacyclus 

cyrtolepidioïdes poussant en Tunisie 

identification par RMN et CPG/SM de terpènes, 

de stéroïdes et d’un O-hétéroside. Page 85. In: 

Proceedings of the International Symposium on 

Perfume Aromatic and Medicinal Plants from 

Production to Valorization, Novomber 2-4, 

2006, Jerba, Tunisia. 

21. Boukhris-Bouhachem, S., Hdider, C., Souissi, 

R., and Ghazel Pizzol, I.J. 2007. Seasonal 

activity of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera 

Noctouidae) for improved control management 

strategies in processing tomatoes. Acta. Hortic. 

758: 89-94. 

22. Boussaada, O., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Ammar, 

S., Haouas, D., Mighri, Z., and Helal, A.N. 

2008. Insecticidal activity of some Asteraceae 

plant extracts against Tribolium confusum. Bull. 

Insectol. 61: 283-289. 

23. Chaieb, I., Ben Hamouda, A., Trabelsi, M., Ben 

Halima, M., and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2009a. 

Toxicity investigation of Cestrum parqui 

saponins to Culex pipiens larvae. Pest. Technol. 

3: 73-75. 

24. Chaieb, I., Boukamcha, H., Ben Jannet, H., Ben 

Halima, M., Ben Hamouda, M.H., and Mighri 

Z. 2007a. Purification of a natural insecticidal 

substance from Cestrum parqui (Solanaceae). 

Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 10: 3822-3828. 

25. Chaieb, I., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., and Ben 

Hamouda, M.H. 2001. Effet d'une alimentation 

additionné d'extraits de Cestrum parquii 

(Solanaceae) sur quelques Lépidoptères 

dommageables: Pieris brassicae (Pieridae) et 

Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval (Noctuidae). 

Med. Fac. Lanbouww. Uni. Gent. 66: 479-480. 


Hamouda, M.H. 2002b. Nouvelle activité du 

Cestrum parquii (Solanaceae) chez Pieris 

bracssicae (Pieridae). Page 63. In: Actes des 

9 èmes Journées Nationales sur les Résultats de la 

Recherche Agronomique Vétérinaire et 

Halieutique, Décembre 12-13, 2002, Nabeul, 

Tunisia. 


Hamouda, M.H. 2004. Modifications cuticulaire 

et protéinique de Spodoptera littoralis 

Boisduval (Lepidoptera) sous l’action d’une 

alimentation additionnée d’extrait sec de 

Cestrum parquii l'Hérit (Solanaceae). Ann. 

INRAT. 77: 119-135. 


Hamouda, M.H. 2006b. Insect growth regulator 

activity of Cestrum parqui saponins: an 

interaction with cholesterol metabolism. Comm. 

Agric. Appl. Biol. Sci. 71: 489-496 


Hamouda, M.H. 2007c. Toxicity experiments of 

the saponic extract of Cestrum Parqui 

(Solanaceae) on some insect spices. J. Entomol. 

4: 113-120 



Hamouda, M.H. 2007d. Development 

perturbation of cotton leave noctuid with green 

Cestrum extracts. J. Entomol. 4: 121-128. 


Hamouda, M.H. 2009b. Antifeedant activity of 

Cestrum parqui crude saponic extract on some 

phytophagous insects. Tunisian J. Med. Plant 

Nat. Prod. 1: 27-33. 

32. Chaieb, I., Trabelsi, M., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., 

and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2007b. Histological 

effects of Cestrum parqui saponins on 

Schistocerca gregaria and Spodoptera littoralis. 

J. Biol. Sci. 7: 95-101. 

33. Hammami, S., Khojaa, I., Ben Jannet, H., Ben 

Halima, M., and Mighri, Z., 2006. Etude de la 

composition chimique et de l’activité antiinsecte 

de l’huile essentielle des fleurs fraîches 

de Matthiola longipetala poussant en Tunisie. 

Page 100. In: International Symposium on 

Perfume Aromatic and Medicinal Plants from 

Production to Valorization, November 2-4, 

2006, Jerba, Tunisia. 

34. Haouas, D., Flamini, G., Ben Halima-Kamel, 

M., and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2010. Feeding 

perturbation and toxic activity of five 

Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against 

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; 

Noctuidae). Crop Prot. 29: 992-997. 

35. Haouas, D., Skhiri, F., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., 

and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2006b. Three 

Chrysanthemum flowerhead powders in 

controlling feeding and behaviour of 

Spodoptera littoralis Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) 

(Boisduval). Afr. J. Plant. Sci. Biotechnol. 2: 

18-22. 

36. Haouas, D., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Skhiri F., 

and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2006a. Activité bioinsecticide 

de l’extrait méthanolique des feuilles 

de 8 espèces de Chrysanthemum sur Tribolium 

confusum (Coleptères – Tenebrionidae). Page 

32. In: Congrès International d’Entomologie et 

de Nématologie, Avril 17-20, 2006, Alger, 

Algeria. 

37. Haouas, D., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Skhiri, F., 

Chaieb, I., and Ben Hamouda, M.H. 2003. 

Etude des potentialités insecticides de trois 

espèces de Chrysanthemum (Asteracées) chez 

Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval (Lepidoptera, 

Noctuidae). Pages 16-17. In: Actes des 10èmes 

Journées Nationales sur les Résultats de la 

Recherche Agronomique. Décembre 16-17, 

2003, Nabeul, Tunisia. 

38. Haouel, S., Mediouni-Ben Jemâa, J., and 

Khouja, M.L. 2010. Postharvest control of the 

date moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae using 

eucalyptus essential oil fumigation. Tunisian J. 

Plant Prot. 5: 201-212. 

39. Khemira, S. 2009. Activité insecticide de six 

huiles essentielles d’Eucalyptus sur le 

Tribolium rouge de la farine Tribolium 

castaneum (Herbest). Projet de Fin d’Etudes en 

Horticulture. Institut Supérieur Agronomique de 

Chott-Mariem, Université de Sousse, Tunisia, 

55 pp. 

40. Lassoued, S. 2010. Etude des ravageurs des 

denrées en stockage. Stage de Fin d’Etudes en 

Horticulture. Institut Supérieur Agronomique de 

Chott-Mariem, Université de Sousse, Tunisia, 

16 pp. 

41. Mansouri, S. 2009. Lutte par fumigation aux 

huiles essentielles contre deux pyralidae des 

dattes stockées: Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller 

(1881) et Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (1879). 

Projet de Fin d’Etudes en Horticulture. Institut 

Supérieur Agronomique de Chott-Mariem, 

Université de Sousse, Tunisia, 43 pp. 

42. Moumène, K. 1997. La transformation phasaire 

chez le criquet pèlerin, Schistocerca gregaria: 

mécanisme et action de l'alimentation. Mémoire 

de D.E.A. en Ecologie Animale, Faculté des 

Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El 

Manar, Tunisia, 36 pp. 

43. Nouioui, S., 2010 Contribution à une étude 

génétique comparative de trois espèces 

d’Asteracées. Mémoire de Mastère en 

Ecophysiologie Végétale. Faculté des Sciences 

de Tunis, Université d’El Manar, Tunisia, 63 

pp. 

44. Onstad, D.W. 2007. Insect resistance 

management: biology, economics and 

prediction. Edition Lavoisier, Paris, France, 305 

pp. 

45. Regaieg, H., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., and 

Chaieb, I., 2002. Le purin d’ortie insecticide à 

prendre en considération dans la lutte conte les 

pucerons des arbres fruitiers. Page 62. In: Actes 

des 9 èmes Journées Nationales sur les Résultats 

de la Recherche Agronomique Vétérinaire et 

Halieutique, Décembre 12-13, 2002, Nabeul, 

Tunisia. 

46. Regnault-Roger, C., Philogène B.J.R., and 

Vincent C., 2002. Biopesticides d'origine 

végétale. Edition Lavoisier. Paris, France, 336 

pp. 

47. Saaii, M. 2010. Utilisation des saponines dans la 

lutte contre un insecte ravageur des denrées 

stockées. Projet de Fin d’Etudes en Contrôle de 

la Qualité Agro-alimentaire. Institut Supérieur 

des Sciences Biologiques Appliqués de Tunis, 

Université d’El Manar, Tunisia, 32 pp. 

48. Saïdana, D., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Mahjoub, 

M.A., Haouas, D., Mighri, Z., and Helal, A.N. 

2007. Insecticidal activities of Tunisian 

halophytic plant extracts against larvae and 

adults of Tribolium confusum. Tropicultura 25: 

193-199. 


49. Saïdana, D., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Boussaada, 

O., Mighri, Z., and Helal, A.N. 2010. Potential 

bioinsecticide activities of Tunisian halophytic 

species against Trogoderma granarium. 

Tunisian J. Plant Prot. 5: 51-62. 

50. Saidana, D., Ben Halima-Kamel, M., Ben Tiba, 

B., Haouas, D., Mahjoub, M.A., Mighri Z., and 

Helal. A.N. 2005. Bio-insecticidal activities of 

halophytic plants extracts against Tribolium 

confusum (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). Comm. 

Appl. Biol. Sci. 70: 793-798. 

51. Trabelsi, L. 2004. Activités biologiques, 

insecticides et fongicides des quelques 

halophytes des sebkhas de Hergla et de 

Monastir. Mastère en Protection des Plantes et 

Environnement de l’Institut Supérieur 

Agronomique, Chott Mariem, Université de 

Sousse, Tunisia, 94 pp. 

52. Zardi-Bergaoui, A., Hammami, S., Ben Halima 

Kamel, M., Sakka-Rouis, L., Boussada, O., 

----------------------- 

Haouas, D., and Mighri, Z., 2008. Insecticidal 

activities of flowerheads of Anacyclus 

cryptolepidioides Pomel growing in Tunisia 

against Tribolium confusum Du Val. J. 

Entomol. 5: 277-283. 

53. Zardi-Bergaoui, A., Ben Jannet, H. Harzallah- 

Skhiri, F., Chaieb, I., Hammami, S., and 

Mighri, Z. 2008. Chemical composition, toxicity 

and antifeedant activities of the Tunisian 

Echiochilon fruticosum Desf. aerial part volatile 

fractions against Tribolium confusum du Val. J. 

Essen. Oil Bear. Plant 11: 112-119. 

54. Ziadi, A. 2006. Recherche d’activités pesticides 

dans les extraits d’une phanérogame marine: 

Posidonia aceanica. Projet de Fin d’Etudes en 

Biologie Marine, Institut Supérieur de 

Biotechnologie de Monastir. Université de 

Monastir, Tunisia, 51 pp.

Research on Insecticidal Plants in Tunisia: Review and ... - Iresa

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?