The Biological Effect of The Aqueous Extract of Tumble Thistle (Gundelia Tournefortii L. ) on The Biological Performance of The Southern Cowpea Beetle Callosobruchus Maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Collection red bean seed samples(Phaseolus vulgaris) infected with the southern cowpea beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) from local markets in Kirkuk city, starting from December 15, 2024, until April 25, 2025. Biological tests were conducted in the laboratories of the College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Kirkuk. The tumble thistle plant (Gundelia tournefortii L.), which was collected from several vegetable shops, was extracted using known chemical methods, to study its toxic effects on the southern cowpea beetle. Three different concentrations of the extracts were used: 15%, 20%, and 25%. The study included the evaluation of several biological indicators of the insect, including the egg-laying rate. The results showed that the extract had a significant effect on the average number of eggs laid, as the number decreased with increasing concentration. The control group recorded the highest number of eggs, amounting to 166.6 eggs\ 40 g , while the numbers within the aqueous extract treatments were as follows: 73.3, 66.6, and 60 eggs for the stems, and 73.3, 73.3, and 66.6 eggs for the leaves, at concentrations of 15, 20, and 25%, respectively. The control group also recorded the highest number of emerging insects, amounting to 146.6 insects, while the number decreased with the treatment with the extracts, as the aqueous extract of the stems recorded 66.6, 46.6, and 53.3 insects, and the aqueous extract of the leaves recorded 60, 53.3, and 46.6 insects. The results showed an inverse relationship between the concentrations of the extracts and the percentage of emerging insects, as the percentage decreased with increasing concentration.