Attractant, sexual competitiveness enhancing and toxic activities of the essential oils from Baccharis spartioides and Schinus polygama on Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann

Abstract

The sterile insect technique is currently used to control the fruit fly pest, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann. The problem with this technique is a decreased sexual competitiveness of the sterile males. We tested the semiochemical properties of essential oils from non-host species as sexual performance enhancers of C. capitata as well as the attractant activity and toxic effect of the oils on adults. By GC–MS analysis, thirty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oil from Schinus polygama (Anacardiaceae) with relative proportions of the compounds up to 5%. The essential oil from Baccharis spartioides (Asteraceae) presented three monoterpenes hydrocarbon dominating the chemical profile. Prior exposure of males to both essential oils increased the sexual competitiveness compared to untreated males in mating trials. In olfactometry tests, males were slightly attracted by the oil of S. polygama, and the essential oil of B. spartioides significantly attracted the females. We postulate these two aromatic species as new sources of essential oils that can enhance the sexual performance of sterile medfly males used in SIT programs. Moreover, the attractant and toxic properties of the oils suggest they can be candidate substances for lure-and-kill technologies.