Toxicity and sublethal effects of plant essential oils on life history and detoxification enzymes activity of two-spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

We studied the lethal and sublethal effects of essential oils (EOs) of Allium sativum L. and Vitex pseudo-negundo (Hausskn) on Tetranychus urticae Koch. Based on LC50 concentrations, A. sativum (19.2 µL/L air) was more toxic than V. pseudo-negundo (51.9 µL/L air). To assess the sublethal effects, adult mites were exposed to the LC10 and LC30 of each EO. Exposure to LC30 of A. sativum and V. pseudo-negundo negatively affected the development, survival, fecundity, and fertility of T. urticae F1 generation, as well as general esterase and MFO enzymes activity. These concentrations affected the detoxification enzyme activity of treated mites.