Abstract
Plant essential oils (EOs) and a wide range of their individual components are involved in a variety of biological interactions with insect pests including stimulatory, deterrent, toxic and even hormetic effects. Both the beneficial and toxic properties of citrus EOs on the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) have been experimentally evidenced over the last years. However, no information is available regarding the toxic or beneficial effects of the major components of citrus EOs via contact with the adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly. In the present study, we explored the toxicity of limonene, linalool and α-pinene (3 of the main compounds of citrus EOs) against adult medflies and identified the effects of sub-lethal doses of limonene on fitness traits in a relaxed [full diet (yeast and sugar)] and in a stressful (sugar only) feeding environment. Our results demonstrate that all three compounds inferred high toxicity to adult medflies regardless of the diet, with males being more sensitive than females. Sub-lethal doses of limonene (LD20) enhanced the lifespan of adult medflies when they were deprived of protein. Fecundity was positively affected when females were exposed to limonene sub-lethal doses. Therefore, limonene, a major constituent of citrus EOs, induces high mortality at increased doses and positive effects on life history traits of medfly adults through contact at low sub-lethal doses. A hormetic-like effect of limonene to adult medflies and its possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Highlights
Host plant essential oils and/or numerous of their individual components are involved in a wide range of biological phenomena of insect herbivores [1]
We extended the range of effective Essential oils (EOs) compounds against medfly adults and we determined the toxicities of three different constituents of citrus EOs on male and female medflies that had access either to a yeast and sugar (YS) or to a S only diet
Limonene LD20 enhances the survival of adult medflies when they are deprived of protein
Summary
Host (and non-host) plant essential oils and/or numerous of their individual components are involved in a wide range of biological phenomena of insect herbivores [1]. These may include stimulatory, deterrent, toxic and even hormetic effects [2,3,4,5]. Toxicity and hormetic-like effects of citrus oil components on medfly adults fresh fruits and vegetables [7] It is a multivoltine, cosmopolitan and an extremely polyphagous species infesting more than 350 plant species [8, 9]. Oxygenated compounds of the citrus fruit, such as linalool, were found to be more toxic compared to non-oxygenated terpenes (limonene) followed by the least toxic α- and β-pinenes
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