Bioactivity against Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora essential oils grown in Colombia

BACKGROUND: Essential oils isolated from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook grown in Colombia were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and tested for repellent activity and contact toxicity against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). RESULTS: The main components of C. citratus oil were geranial (34.4%), neral (28.4%) and geraniol (11.5%), whereas those of E. citriodora were citronellal (40%), isopulegol (14.6%) and citronellol (13%). The mean repellent doses after 4 h exposure were 0.021 and 0.084 mL L^?1 for C. citratus and E. citriodora oils respectively—values lower than that observed for the commercial product IR3535 (0.686 mL L^?1). CONCLUSION: These studies showed the composition and repellent activity of essential oils of C. citratus and E. citriodora, suggesting that these are potential candidates as insect repellents. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Composition and biological activity of essential oils against Metopolophium dirhodum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) cereal crop pest

BACKGROUND: Natural pesticides based on plant essential oils may represent alternative crop protectants. This study analysed the chemical constituents and bioactivities of essential oils from Schinus areira L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Tagetes terniflora Kunth against winged and wingless adults of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walk.). RESULTS: The major component of S. areira was α‐phellandrene, that of R. officinalis was 1,8‐cineole and that of T. terniflora was cis‐ocimene. Rosemary essential oil was more effective than the others in immersion method tests. In contact toxicity, the rosemary oil was the most toxic to wingless adults and the S. areira leaf oil was the most toxic to winged adults. All the EOs produced some degrees of repellency in adults and effects on the reproduction and demographic parameters. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the essential oils from S. areira, R. officinalis and T. terniflora could be used as an alternative in the management of M. dirhodum. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of methoprene on the progeny production of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

BACKGROUND: Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) is a serious insect pest of stored products around the world. Current control measures for this species have several limitations: loss of registration of insecticides, insecticide resistance and consumer concerns about chemical residues in food. The objective of this study was to determine whether methoprene affects progeny production of T. castaneum. Late‐instar larvae or young adults were exposed to methoprene‐treated wheat, and progeny production was determined. The pairing of male and female adults was performed as untreated × untreated, treated × untreated or treated × treated, to study sex‐based effects. RESULTS: There were three outcomes to late‐instar larvae held on methoprene‐treated wheat kernels (0.001 and 0.0165 ppm): (1) failure to emerge as an adult; (2) emergence as an adult, and almost no offspring produced; (3) emergence as an adult and normal production of offspring. Male larvae were more susceptible to methoprene than female larvae. In contrast, young adults exposed to methoprene (1.67–66.6 ppm) showed no reduction in offspring production. CONCLUSION: Methoprene concentrations will decline with time following its application. However, this research indicates that methoprene can still reduce populations of T. castaneum by reducing their progeny production, even if adults emerge. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Insecticidal toxicity of thirteen commercial plant essential oils against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera exigua</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

We evaluated the chemical composition of thirteen commercially available plant essential oils and their insecticidal activity against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the chemical components of the essential oils. A total of 113 compounds were identified, with terpenes (>80%) and aromatic compounds as primary constituents. The toxicity of each pure essential oil was tested separately on third instar larvae and adult beet armyworms by topical application of 0.5 μl oil/ insect. All plant essential oils were found to be harmful to S. exigua, with third instar larvae showing significantly more susceptibility than adults. Essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Juniperus virginiana showed the highest toxicity (mortality above 90%) to larvae, while C. zeylanicum and Pogostemon cablin oils were the most harmful compounds (95% mortality) to adults. Cymbopogon winterianus oil caused delayed mortality (similar to the effects of insect growth regulators) as well as malformations in pupae. C. winterianus, Ocimum basilicum and Rosmarinus officinalis oils significantly reduced fecundity, whereas no significant effects were observed on fertility.     

Capture of stored-grain Coleoptera with WB Probe II Trap: influence of grain type

The commercially available trap WB Probe II Trap have been used in laboratory to monitor insects activity in grains at 24±1°C and 70±5% r.h.. The major coleopteran pests of cereals in Italy,Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.),Rhyzopertha dominica (F.),Sitophilus oryzae (L.) andTribolium castaneum (Herbst), were added to the grain at about 0.9 insect per kg. Two tests were prepared: in the testA insect activity was observed in spring wheatTriticum aestivum, L.; in the testB were compared in oat grainAvena sativa L., spring wheatTriticum aestivum L. and maize grainZea mays L. Significant differences in the numbers of insects collected by the traps were observed, both when compared across traps and cereal types. In all cereals considered traps trapped moreS. oryzae thanT. castaneum andO. surinamenis; the species less trapped wereR. dominica.     

Note: Transovarial activity of the chitin synthesis inhibitor novaluron on egg hatch and subsequent development of larvae ofTribolium castaneum

The effects of the chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI) novaluron on egg hatch and on larval development ofTribolium castaneum (Herbst) concentrations of 1.0, 0.3, 0.2 or 0.1 ppm were tested. The effect of novaluron at low concentrations depended strongly on the exposure period. At 0.3 ppm, egg hatch ofT. castaneum was totally inhibited after 28 days; at 0.2 ppm the effect was much less but inhibition increased progressively to 66% in the 35-day experiment; at 0.1 ppm novaluron was ineffective. The viability of the larvae that hatched from the laid eggs and developed on untreated flour was also dependent on concentration of novaluron and exposure time: exposure ofT. castaneum adults to novaluron-treated flour at 0.3 ppm for 8 days, or at 0.2 ppm for 36 days, caused 100% or 97.5% mortality, respectively. At both 0.3 and 0.2 ppm, larval deaths were mainly in the first instar. Exposure ofT. castaneum adults to treated flour may serve as a good model for evaluating the effect of CSIs on internal feeders, especiallySitophilus oryzae (L.). The present study contributes to our understanding of CSI transovarial activity against internal stored product coleopterans whose larval stage develops inside the grain without contact with the toxicants. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 11, 2007.     

Insecticidal activity of scorpion toxin (ButaIT) and snowdrop lectin (GNA) containing fusion proteins towards pest species of different orders

BACKGROUND: The toxicity of a fusion protein, ButalT/GNA, comprising a venom toxin (ButaIT) derived from the red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus (F.), and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), was evaluated under laboratory conditions against several pest insects. Insecticidal activity was compared with SFI1/GNA, a fusion comprising a venom toxin (SFI1) derived from the European spider Segestria florentina (Rossi) and GNA, which has been previously demonstrated to be effective against lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, and to GNA itself. RESULTS: Injection assays demonstrated that both fusion proteins were toxic to lepidopteran larvae, dipteran adults, coleopteran adults and larvae and dictyopteran nymphs. ButalT/GNA was more toxic than SFI1/GNA in all cases. GNA itself made a minor contribution to toxicity. Oral toxicity of ButalT/GNA towards lepidopteran pests was confirmed against neonate Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), where incorporation at 2% dietary protein resulted in 50% mortality and > 85% reduction in growth compared with controls. ButaIT/GNA was orally toxic to Musca domestica L. adults, causing 75% mortality at 1 mg mL^?1 in aqueous diets and, at 2 mg g^?1 it was orally toxic to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), causing 60% mortality and a 90% reduction in growth. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity of the ButaIT/GNA recombinant fusion protein towards a range of insect pests from different orders was demonstrated by injection bioassays. Feeding bioassays demonstrated the potential use of the ButaIT/GNA fusion protein as an orally active insecticide against lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. These experiments provide further evidence that the development of fusion protein technology for the generation of new, biorational, anti‐insect molecules holds significant promise. © Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fumigant toxicity of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus blakelyi</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melaleuca fulgens</Emphasis> essential oils and 1,8-cineole against different development stages of the rice weevil<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus oryzae</Emphasis>

Essential oils extracted fromEucalyptus blakelyi (1,8-cineole, 77.5%),Melaleuca fulgens (1,8-cineole, 56.9%) and 1,8-cineole were shown to have fumigant toxicity against different development stages ofSitophilus oryzae. The eggs ofS. oryzae were the most tolerant, followed by pupae, larvae and adults in that order.M. fulgens oil,E. blakelyi oil and 1,8-cineole at 100 μl per liter of air gave, respectively, LT₅₀ values of 16.2, 17.4 and 9.1 h for adults, 31.1, 19.3 and 17.5 h for larvae, 55.6, 75.2 and 39.7 h for pupae, and required >7 days for eggs. Only 1,8-cineole (200 μl ⁻¹ air) gave a significant egg kill by 7 days and the LT₉₅ was 134.5 h. 1,8-Cineole could be a useful new fumigant. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 3, 2004.     

Fumigant toxicity of volatile natural products from Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L)

The fumigant toxicity of various volatile constituents of essential oils extracted from sixteen Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was determined. The most potent toxicity was found in the essential oil from Mentha arvensis L var piperascens (LC₅₀ = 45.5 µl litre^?1 air). GC–MS analysis of essential oil from M arvensis showed it to be rich in menthol (63.2%), menthone (13.1%) and limonene (1.5%), followed in abundance by β‐pinene (0.7%), α‐pinene (0.6%) and linalool (0.2%). Treatment of S oryzae with each of these terpenes showed menthone to be most active (LC₅₀ = 12.7 µl litre^?1 air) followed by linalool (LC₅₀ = 39.2 µl litre^?1 air) and α‐pinene (LC₅₀ = 54.9 µl litre^?1 air). Studies on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity of S oryzae showed menthone to have a nine‐fold lower inhibitory effect than menthol, despite menthone being 8.1‐fold more toxic than menthol to the rice weevil. Different modes of toxicity of these monoterpenes towards S oryzae are discussed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preliminary study of the fumigant toxicity of allyl alcohol to three stored-product insects

The toxicity of allyl alcohol as a fumigant was assessed for adults ofTribolium castaneum (Herbst.),Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) andSitophilus oryzae (L.). Fumigations were carried out in 3.4–1 glass containers at concentrations of 1–15 mg/l for 3 h. The most sensitive species wasS. oryzae and the most tolerant wasT. castaneum. A dose of 15 mg/l for 3 h was lethal to all three species tested. The feasibility of proposing allyl alcohol as a candidate fumigant is discussed. Publication of the Agricultural Research Organization.     

Composition and biological activity of essential oils from Labiatae against Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) soybean pest

BACKGROUND: Plant essential oils have been recognised as an important natural source of insecticide. This study analysed the chemical constituents and bioactivity of essential oils that were isolated via hydrodistillation from Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) against eggs, second instar and adults of Nezara viridula (L.). RESULTS: The major component of oregano was p‐cymene, and, for thyme, thymol. The ovicidal activity was tested by topical application; the essential oil from thyme was more effective. The fumigant activity was evaluated in an enclosed chamber; the LC₅₀ values for oregano were 26.8 and 285.6 µg mL^?1 for nymphs and adults respectively; for thyme they were 8.9 µg mL^?1 for nymphs and 219.2 µg mL^?1 for adults. To evaluate contact activity, a glass vial bioassay was used; the LC₅₀ values for oregano were 1.7 and 169.2 µg cm^?2 for nymphs and adults respectively; for thyme they were 3.5 and 48.8 µg cm^?2 respectively. The LT₅₀ analyses for contact and fumigant bioassays indicated that thyme was more toxic for nymphs and adults than oregano. Both oils produced repellency on nymphs and adults. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the essential oils from O. vulgare and T. vulgaris could be applicable to the management of N. viridula. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity and protectant potential of Piper guineense (Piperaceae) and Senna siamea (Fabaceae) mixed with diatomaceous earth for the management of three major stored product beetle pests

There is a dearth of knowledge on the available sources of botanical products for smallholder farmers in Africa and their bioactivity against stored-product pests. Many locally available plants across Africa exhibit both promising insecticidal, medicinal activity and are nutrient rich yet remain underutilized. Laboratory studies on toxicity of powders of Senna siamea and Piper guineense alone or combined with diatomaceous earth (DE) to adult Sitophilus granarius, Tribolium castaneum and Acanthoscelides obtectus were conducted in stored grains. Adult mortality was observed up to 7 d while progeny production was recorded 6–10 weeks. Adult A. obtectus were most susceptible (LD₅₀ 0.0084% and 0.0696% wt/wt for S. siamea and P. guineense, respectively), followed by S. granarius. T. castaneum was most tolerant (LD₅₀ 0.6589% and 0.6829% wt/wt for S. siamea and P. guineense, respectively). Combination of plant powders and DE controlled the beetles faster compared to the plant powders alone. LT₅₀ ranged from 20 h to 101 h for T. castaneum exposed to 1.0% S. siamea and 1.0% DE, and 0.5% P. guineense and 1.0% DE, respectively. Botanicals caused significant reduction of F₁ adults compared to the control. The potential of using botanicals combined with DE to control stored-product insects is discussed.     

Acaricidal activities of Santolina africana and Hertia cheirifolia essential oils against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)

BACKGROUND: Many plant essential oils show a broad spectrum of activity against pests. This study investigated the effects of two essential oils on Tetranychus urticae, one of the most serious pests in the world. RESULTS: The chemical composition of the two oils was characterised by GC‐MS. The most abundant component in the Santolina africana (Jord. & Fourr) oil was terpinen‐4‐ol (54.96%), while thymol (61%) was prevalent in the Hertia cheirifolia (L.) oil. Mortality and fecundity were measured upon treatment with oil concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 6.75 mg L^?1 with a Potter spray tower. Mite mortality increased with oil concentration, with LC₅₀ values of 2.35 mg L^?1 for S. africana and 3.43 mg L^?1 for H. cheirifolia respectively. For both oils, a reduction in fecundity was observed at concentrations of 0.07, 0.09 and 0.29 mg L^?1. Artificial blends of constituents of oils were also prepared and tested with individual constituents missing from the mixture. The results showed that the presence of all constituents was necessary to equal the toxicity of the two natural oils. CONCLUSION: S. africana and H. cheirifolia oils can provide valuable acaricide activity with significantly lower LC₅₀ values. Thus, these oils cause important mortality and reduce the number of eggs laid by females. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological and biochemical aspects of the disruption of adult formation in Tribolium by a novel bis(thiocarbamate) R-31026 and the juvenoid R-20458

S,S-Di-isobutyl N ethylethylenebis(thiocarbamate) (R-31026) had a strong morphogenetic effect, acting by contact on the newly formed pupae of Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum and thereby disrupting adult development. At a dietary concentration of 20 mg kg^?1, 95% of pupae of T. confusum produced pupa-adult intermediates; T. castaneum pupae were affected to a smaller extent. Topical application with 0.002 μg per 0–24-h-old pupa of T. confusum resulted in the formation of 88% malformed intermediates. The larvae brought into contact with R-31026 were not affected and pupated normally, hence the compound differs in its activity from that of a typical juvenile hormone compound. On the other hand, the pupal morphogenetic activity of R-31026 resembles that of the typical juvenoid compound 3-[5-(4-ethylphenoxy)-3-methylpent-3-enyl]-2,2-dimethyloxirane (R-20458). The progeny of the emerging adults from pupae treated with either R-20458 or R-31026 were strongly affected. The effective dosages were far below those required for pupal morphogenetic activity. Biochemical studies showed an increase in the soluble protein fraction during the pupal stage after treatment with either R-31026 or R-20458 indicating disturbances in protein build-up. The bis(thiocarbamate) R-31026 has more favourable practical properties than R-20458 for controlling agricultural insects, because it does not prolong the larval feeding stage.     

几种中药材对赤拟谷盗的致死作用及其趋避性研究

用中药材丁香、细辛、陈皮、吴茱萸、花椒、千年健对仓虫赤拟谷盗成虫的致死作用和趋避作用进行了研究。结果表明:6种中药材对赤拟谷盗成虫的致死效果为丁香>细辛>陈皮>吴茱萸>花椒>千年健。当丁香与其他5种药材一起同贮或分别贮存时,丁香里始终不见赤拟谷盗,在千年健里赤拟谷盗分布较多,而在其他几种药材中分布明显减少。各种中药材对拟谷盗的驱虫作用有明显差异。     

Synthetic pyrethroids: Toxicity and synergism on dietary exposure of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) larvae

The potency of six dietary pyrethroids, as toxicants and inhibitors of weight gain in first- and fourth-instar Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) larvae, decreased in the order of cis-cypermethrin and deltamethrin > trans-cypermethrin and cis-permethrin > fenvalerate and trans-permethrin. Dosages that reduced larval weight also delayed pupation and emergence, probably due to their antifeeding activity. Three oxidase inhibitors (piperonyl butoxide, O, O-diethyl O-phenyl phosphorothioate, and O-isobutyl O-prop-2-ynyl phenylphosphonate), at a dietary concentration of 100 mg kg^?1, had little or no effect on the toxicity of trans-permethrin, but strongly synergised the toxicity of cis-cypermethrin by about 3-, 3- and 10-fold, respectively. Piperonyl butoxide also synergised the toxicity of cis-permethrin, trans-cypermethrin and deltamethrin, but not that of fenvalerate. On the other hand, an esterase inhibitor, profenofos, did not enhance the potency of any of the α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl pyrethroids. Oxidases appear to be more important than esterases in pyrethroid detoxification by T. castaneum larvae.     

Efficacy of vaporised ethyl formate/carbon dioxide formulation against stored‐grain insects: effect of fumigant concentration,exposure time and two grain temperatures

BACKGROUND: The ethyl formate/carbon dioxide (CO₂) formulation Vapormate? is a rapid‐acting fumigant being developed for the control of stored‐grain insects. The effects have been investigated of concentration, exposure times of 1, 3, 24 and 72 h and two grain temperatures, 15 and 25 °C, on its efficacy against mixed‐stage cultures of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and strongly phosphine‐resistant Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) strain QRD569. RESULTS: High mortalities (≥92%) of mixed‐stage cultures of all three species were obtained when grain was fumigated with the formulation (193 g m^?3 ethyl formate) for 1 h. Complete control of R. dominica QRD569 and T. castaneum was achieved with 63 and 76 g m^?3 ethyl formate respectively, with exposure for 24 h, whereas mean mortality of S. oryzae was 86% under the same conditions. Mortalities of S. oryzae juvenile stages were significantly lower than adults under the conditions tested, which was due to pronounced tolerance of mid‐stage pupae to the fumigant. Reducing grain temperature from 25 to 15 °C had no effect on insect mortality. CONCLUSION: Ethyl formate/CO₂ formulation is highly effective against stored‐grain insects over a range of concentrations and exposure times. Efficacious fumigations were conducted in as little as 1 h, and a strongly phosphine‐resistant R. dominica strain was readily controlled with the fumigant. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Compatibility of spinosad with predaceous mites (Acari) used to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

BACKGROUND: Spinosad is a biopesticide widely used for control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). It is reported to be non‐toxic to several predatory mite species used for the biological control of thrips. Predatory mites Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) have been used for control of F. occidentalis. This study investigated the impact of direct and residual toxicity of spinosad on F. occidentalis and predatory mites. The repellency of spinosad residues to these predatory mites was also investigated. RESULTS: Direct contact to spinosad effectively reduced the number of F. occidentalis adults and larvae, causing > 96% mortality. Spinosad residues aged 2–96 h were also toxic to F. occidentalis. Direct exposure to spinosad resulted in > 90% mortality of all three mite species. Thresholds for the residual toxicity (contact) of spinosad (LT₂₅) were estimated as 4.2, 3.2 and 5.8 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. When mites were simultaneously exposed to spinosad residues and fed spinosad‐intoxicated thrips larvae, toxicity increased. Residual thresholds were re‐estimated as 5.4, 3.9 and 6.1 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. Residues aged 2–48 h repelled T. montdorensis and H. miles, and residues aged 2–24 h repelled N. cucumeris. CONCLUSION: Predatory mites can be safely released 6 days after spinosad is applied for the management of F. occidentalis. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The activity of some compounds extracts byAllium on stored-product insectsOryzaephilus surinamensis (L.),Sitophilus oryzae (L.) andTribolium castaneum (Herbst)

The bioactive metabolites of someAllium plants, all exhibiting interesting pharmacological activities, were tested for their attractive/repellent activity against saw-toothed grain beetle,Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and rust-red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), insects infesting the stored-products. The data obtained showed significant repellent effect of the thiosulfinates againstS. oryzae.     

Biological activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (Piperaceae) and its chemical constituents on Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Hispidae)

The results showed that the essential oil from Piper sarmentosum has strong antifeedant and toxicity effects on Brontispa longissima. The best antifeedant and contact toxicity effects were observed in the 1st-2nd instar larvae. The essential oil also displayed a notable fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. It took the control-treated insects 43.34 d to complete one generation, while the insects treated with 2000 mg/L essential oil needed 73.58 d. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 41 components were identified. Myristicin (65.22%) and trans-caryophyllene (13.89%) were the major components. Myristicin exhibited strong antifeedant and contact toxicity effects on both the 3rd instar larvae and the imagoes of B. longissima, when it showed a significant fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. Another P. sarmentosum essential oil and myristicin all showed a strong inhibiting effect on the growth and development of B. longissima along with the activity of AChE, CarE, GSTs and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in B. longissima larvae.