Abstract
As part of a screening program to evaluate the biological activity of indigenous plants, we report the composition and the bioactivity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Té de Burro Aloysia polystachya [(Griseb.) Moldenke] and Lemon Verbena Aloysia citriodora [Palau] against two of the most widespread secondary pests of stored products, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum [Herbst] and the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum [Jacqueline du Val]. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the EOs led the identification of their major constituents and their relative proportions. EO of A. citriodora showed the highest repellent activity against both beetles (>70%). On the other hand, both plants showed fumigant toxicity only against T. confusum, without significant differences between them (LC50 values of 5.92 and 5.53 mg/L air for A. polystachya and A. citriodora, resp.). For contact toxicity (topical applications) the EO of A. polystachya was more effective (LD50 = 7.35 μg/insect) than the EO of A. citriodora (LD50 = 13.8 μg/insect) only against T. castaneum. On the other hand, T. confusum was not susceptible by contact to any of these EOs. These results provide important tools for the development of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
Highlights
The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum (Duval) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are the most widespread and destructive secondary pests of stored grains and grain-derived products
As part of a screening program to evaluate the bioactivity of native plants as insect control agents, we report the composition, repellent activity, and fumigant and contact toxicity of essential oils (EOs) of A. polystachya and A. citriodora against adults of T. confusum and T. castaneum
T. castaneum and T. confusum are both insecticide-susceptible strains that have been reared in laboratory culture since 1995 and 2005, respectively
Summary
The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and the confused flour beetle Tribolium confusum (Duval) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are the most widespread and destructive secondary pests of stored grains and grain-derived products. Insecticides of natural origin are proposed as rational alternatives to synthetic ones and, among the biopesticides, essential oils (EOs) are growing rapidly on the botanical pesticide markets [4]. The diversity in their composition and mixture of compounds enhance their insecticide efficacy and reduce the evolution of tolerance and resistance
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