Effects of Juniperus communis oil on some biochemical changes in adults of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

The Red palm weevil (RPM) is the most important pest for the palm trees in all of the Arab Gulf area. Junipers communes is natural oil belonging to family Cupressaceae the plant is local in KS A, the oil extracted from plant leaves and fruits. Juniper oil is attractive for both male and female adults it possesses a toxic effect for all stages of the insect, especially for larvae as stomach or fumigant poisons. The oil emulsion that contained LC50 concentration of Juniper oil caused some biochemical changes for the adults when used as stomach poison in their diet. The total proteins significantly increased in male body, and increased in the gut tissue in both sex when used as contact poison, there were inhibition in the protein synthesis in the haemolymph were it decreased. Chitin content of adult cuticle of both sexes was not affected. Phenol oxidase enzyme in male haemolymph inhibited when used as fumigant, while it was activated by using as contact poison, the enzyme activity in the body wall decreased while it increased in the haemolymph. Contact or fumigant treatment of the oil had no effect on Acetyl cholinesterase or acid phosphates enzyme in the haemolymph or in the body tissue. The total lipid contents in haemolymph increased by fumigant treatment for females and by contact for males. The uric acid concentration in the haemolymph of males decreased.