Insecticidal effects of some essential oils against box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae))

Abstract

The box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most alien insects found in the Buxus areas of Georgia and World. Many methods have been used to control this pest up to now. But, the problem is still going on. In this study, insecticidal effects of the essential oils obtained from plants Artemisia absinthium L., Seriphidium santonicum (L.) Sojak, Seriphidium spicigerum (K.Koch) Poljakov, Cuminum cyminum L., Mentha pulegium L., Origanum majorana L., Origanum onites L., Origanum syriacum L., Origanum vulgare L., and Satureja hortensis L. on C.perspectalis were tested in laboratory conditions. In this context, larvae of the 2nd and 5th instars of C.perspectalis were exposed to essential oils at doses of 10, 15 and 20 μl/petri for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. All of the essential oils used in the study caused mortality at different rates; the highest effect on 2nd and 5th instar larvae of C.perspectalis was obtained with the essential oil from O.onites with a mortality rate of 80.0–71.6%. The oils from O. onites (73.3–65.0%), O.syriacum (73.3–63.3%), O.majorana (71.6–66.6%), A.absinthium (68.3–61.6%), S.santonicum (68.3–60.0%), S.spicigerum (66.6–60.0%), S.hortensis (66.6–61.1%), C.cyminum (58.3–53.3%) and M.pulegium (51.6–45.0%) followed this in this order. As a results of the dose effect tests conducted in the second part of the study, the most toxic plant essential oils were determined to be from O.vulgare and the lowest toxic effect from M.pulegium based on LD50 and LD90. The results obtained show that the essential oils from O.vulgare can be used in the control against C.perspectalis.