Effectiveness of insect-repellent food packaging film incorporating thymol against rice weevil, Sitophylus oryzae

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the repellent efficacy of different levels of thymol (2%, 4% and 6% (w/w)) in rice packaging against rice weevil, Sitophylus oryzae. Insect repellent assays performed in the study showed 51.84%, 48.15% and 48.15% repellency effects for 2%, 4% and 6% thymol film respectively, within three days. Films containing over 2% thymol exhibited a mortality rate of Sitophylus oryzae (n?> 40%), while the penetration of rice weevil specimens through the repellent film was prevented, demonstrating the potential for the usage of thymol in insect-repellent packaging for rice.