Investigation of single and joint fumigant insecticidal action of citruspeel oil components

Abstract

Following gas chromatographic analysis of citruspeel oils, 30 components of these oils were tested against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Several compounds (22), including the major component of all citruspeel oils—(+)-limonene—were found to be bioactive, having a strong vapour insecticidal activity. These components and some of their isomers were shown to have varying levels of activity (α-terpineol, 24-h LC50 4·05 μl litre−1 to n-tridecane, LC50 13·3 μl litre−1), but no single component could account for the activity measured for a typical citruspeel oil (lime) on a proportional basis. Joint action studies established that in artificial mixtures several pure components of citruspeel oil potentiated their individual fumigant action in a manner consistent with an additive model against C. maculatus.