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     

Insecticidal activity of fatty acid constituents of fixed vegetable oils against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on cowpea

The insecticidal activity of lauric, oleic and linoleic acids against Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpea was investigated in laboratory bioassays. In pre-oviposition grain treatments, it was found that, at dosages between 1.96 and 11.59 kg-lauric acid had no effect on progeny development, while the oily oleic and linoleic acids were active in reducing progeny development. The active fatty acids had no effect on oviposition (in no-choice experiments) or on mortality of adults or larvae that successfully penetrated treated cowpea seeds, and their insecticidal activity, like that of fixed vegetable oils, depended mainly on ovicidal action. When applied to cowpeas in a pure state, oleic acid had an LC₅₀ value of 1.64mlkg^?1, which made it approximately 3 and 8 times more toxic against eggs of C. maculatus than groundnut oil and linoleic acid respectively. When the ovicidal activities of the three fatty acids were tested by dipping egg-infested seeds in acetone- based solutions, they were all found to be similarly toxic, lauric, oleic and linoleic acids having LC₅₀, values of 40, 38 and 26 ml litre^?1 respectively (with overlapping 95% C.L.). These values made them 2-4 times more toxic than acetone-based solutions of groundnut and traditional coconut oils. The possibility of employing fatty acids in large-scale and traditional small-scale food storage systems is discussed.     

Dicofol resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus: resistance and stability of resistance in populations from Antalya, Turkey

Resistance against dicofol was investigated in the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus. Higher resistance levels were detected by leaf residual bioassays than by topical bioassays, both done using a Potter spray tower, in almost all populations of T cinnabarinus examined from Antalya, Turkey. For instance, the resistance level at LC₉₅ was 17.5‐fold in topical bioassays but 58.9‐fold in leaf residual bioassays for the population collected from greenhouses in the Topçular district. There were differences of resistance levels at LC₉₅, ranging between 2.6‐ and 23.9‐fold using topical bioassays and between 5.0‐ and 58.9‐fold in residual bioassays, in populations collected from greenhouses from various districts. Populations from cotton showed lower resistance levels against dicofol than populations from greenhouses. Resistance to dicofol at LC₅₀ as indicated by topical and residual bioassays increased 19.7‐ and 100.7‐fold, respectively, in a colony from the laboratory strain of T cinnabarinus selected with dicofol alone for 16 cycles. However, the dicofol resistance at LC₅₀ increased 19.4‐ and 52.0‐fold in another colony selected in rotation with dicofol and tetradifon for six and eight cycles, respectively. The changes in resistance to dicofol 5 months after the selection ceased were as follows: in the colony selected for dicofol alone, using topical and residual bioassays, the resistance levels at LC₅₀ decreased to 11.7‐ and 99.1‐fold, respectively, and in the colony selected in rotation with dicofol and tetradifon to 10.8‐ and 15.8‐fold, respectively. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

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     

4种矿物油乳剂对柑橘小实蝇和柑橘木虱产卵行为的影响

研究了4种矿物油乳剂对柑橘小实蝇和其中2种矿物油乳剂对柑橘木虱产卵行为影响的特性。结果显示:4种矿物油乳剂对柑橘小实蝇的产卵拒避作用差异明显,其中"加德士-路易"夏用油对柑橘小实蝇的产卵拒避作用与对照相比差异显著,其他3种矿物油乳剂则对柑橘小实蝇没有明显的产卵拒避作用。"绿颖"农用喷淋油和"加德士-路易"夏用油对柑橘木虱均有显著的产卵拒避作用。     

Bioactivity of essential oils from leaves and bark of Laurelia sempervirens and Drimys winteri against Acyrthosiphon pisum

BACKGROUND: The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), is a cosmopolitan pest that attacks a wide range of legume crops and vectors important plant virus diseases. In this project, essential oils from the leaf (L) and bark (B) of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz & Pavón) Tul. (L) and Drimys winteri JR Forster & G Forster (D) were extracted, and their deterrent and insecticidal activities were tested under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: By use of GC‐MS, safrole was found as the main constituent in LL and LB oils, while the main constituents were more diverse in DL and DB oils. In the deterrent bioassays with A. pisum under choice conditions, the four oils were active, with LL being the most active, followed by LB, DB and DL. The respective deterrence indices were 1.0, 0.89, 0.87 and 0.46 when aphids were exposed for 24 h to 4 µL mL^?1. Although there was no aphid mortality when oils were sprayed on faba bean leaves before aphid infestation, there was 58 and 42% mortality when settled aphids were directly sprayed with 4.0 µL mL^?1 of LL and LB respectively; DB and DL oils caused ≤18% mortality. In a third series, the essential oils of LL and LB caused 100% mortality when applied at a dose of 64 µL L^?1 air by fumigation to faba bean plants infested with A. pisum; at the same dose, DB and DL oils caused 68 and 63% mortality respectively. When fumigation was limited to 2 h, the respective LC₅₀ values for LL and LB oils were 10.6–14.3 µL L^?1 air and 9.8–13.2 µL L^?1 air. CONCLUSION: Because of their high deterrent and insecticidal activities, the essential oils from leaf and bark of L. sempervirens may be explored as potential natural aphicides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Composition of essential oil of Chinese Chenopodium ambrosioides and insecticidal activity against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

BACKGROUND: In a screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. was found to possess strong fumigant activity against the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). Essential oil of C. ambrosioides was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the constituents were determined by GC‐MS analysis. The active compounds were isolated and identified by bioassay‐directed fractionation. RESULTS: Five active compounds [(Z)‐ascaridole, 2‐carene, ρ‐cymene, isoascaridole and α‐terpinene] were isolated and identified from the essential oil from Chinese C. ambrosioides. The LC₅₀ values (fumigation) of the crude essential oils and the active compound (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 3.08 and 0.84 mg L^?1 air respectively. The LD₅₀ values (contact toxicity) of the crude essential oil and (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 2.12 and 0.86 µg g^?1 body weight respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides and its main active constituent, (Z)‐ascaridole, may be explored as a natural potential fumigant. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Contact and fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils and efficacy of spray formulations containing the oils against B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci

BACKGROUND: The contact + fumigant toxicity of 92 plant essential oils and control efficacy of 18 experimental spray formulations containing nine selected essential oils (0.5 and 0.1% sprays) and six commercial insecticides to females from B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci were evaluated using vapour‐phase mortality and spray bioassays. RESULTS: Garlic and oregano (LC₅₀, 0.15 mL cm^?3) were the most toxic oils against B‐ and Q‐biotype females. Strong fumigant toxicity to both biotype females was also obtained from catnip, cinnamon bark, clove bud, clove leaf, davana, savory and vetiver Haiti oils (LC₅₀, 0.17–0.48 mL cm^?3). The 0.5% sprays of these oils (except for thyme red oil) resulted in 90–100% mortality against both biotype females. Only garlic applied as 0.1% spray provided 100% mortality. Spinosad 100 g L^?1 suspension concentrate (SC) treatment resulted in 92 and 95% mortality against both biotype females, whereas acetamiprid 80 g L^?1 wettable powder (WP), imidacloprid 80 g L^?1 SC, thiamethoxam 100 g L^?1 water‐dispersible granule (WDG) and pyridaben 200 g L^?1 WP treatments resulted in 89–100% mortality against B‐biotype females only. CONCLUSION: In the light of global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic insecticides in the agricultural environment, the essential oils described, particularly garlic, cinnamon bark and vetiver Haiti, merit further study as potential insecticides for the control of B. tabaci populations as fumigants with contact action. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

甘蓝夜蛾核型多角体病毒杀虫剂的制备及田间防治试验

应用活体增殖病毒 ,制备甘蓝夜蛾核型多角体病毒杀虫剂乳剂 ,室内对 4龄甘蓝夜蛾幼虫的毒力测定 ,其LD₅₀为9.42×10³PIB/头。田间防治效果表明 ,采用1.0×10¹¹PIB/hm² 和3.0×10¹¹PIB/hm²的剂量防治甘蓝夜蛾的效果都在70%以上。乳液的稳定性较好 ,粘着性较强     

氯化钙与东莨菪内酯联用对朱砂叶螨的杀螨毒力及其Ca2+-ATP酶活性的影响

为了明确钙离子与东莨菪内酯联合作用的杀螨效果,进而为东莨菪内酯的开发利用提供参考,采用玻片浸渍法测定了钙离子(Ca2+)与东莨菪内酯混用对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus雌成螨的杀螨毒力,并测定了活体和离体条件下对螨体内Ca2+-ATP酶活性的影响,对Ca2+的增效作用机理进行了初步分析。结果表明:Ca2+与东莨菪内酯联合使用能显著增强东莨菪内酯的杀螨效果,其中联合作用24和48 h的LC50值分别比东莨菪内酯单独处理降低20%和45%;对朱砂叶螨Ca2+-ATP酶活性的测定结果表明,无论在活体还是离体条件下,Ca2+与东莨菪内酯联用均能显著增强对Ca2+-ATP酶的抑制作用,而相同浓度的Ca2+单独作用则对Ca2+-ATP酶活性无影响,这也在一定程度上证明了Ca2+-ATP酶是东莨菪内酯的重要作用靶标之一。     

Larvicidal and oviposition‐altering activity of monoterpenoids,trans‐anithole and rosemary oil to the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti L. is the major vector of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. In an effort to find effective tools for control programs to reduce mosquito populations, the authors assessed the acute toxicities of 14 monoterpenoids, trans‐anithole and the essential oil of rosemary against different larval stages of Ae. aegypti. The potential for piperonyl butoxide (PBO) to act as a synergist for these compounds to increase larvicidal activity was also examined, and the oviposition response of gravid Ae. aegypti females to substrates containing these compounds was evaluated in behavioral bioassays. RESULTS: Pulegone, thymol, eugenol, trans‐anithole, rosemary oil and citronellal showed high larvicidal activity against all larval stages of Ae. aegypti (LC₅₀ values 10.3–40.8 mg L^?1). The addition of PBO significantly increased the larvicidal activity of all test compounds (3–250‐fold). Eugenol, citronellal, thymol, pulegone, rosemary oil and cymene showed oviposition deterrent and/or repellent activities, while the presence of borneol, camphor and β‐pinene increased the number of eggs laid in test containers. CONCLUSIONS: This study quantified the lethal and sublethal effects of several phytochemical compounds against all larval stages of Aedes aegypti, providing information that ultimately may have potential in mosquito control programs through acute toxicity and/or the ability to alter reproductive behaviors. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Selection for abamectin resistance in colorado potato beetle (coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

There was no difference in dose response to abamectin between a laboratory strain of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say))from North Carolina and a multiple resistant strain from Massachusetts (LD₅₀= 1.95 and 1.98 ng larva^?1, respectively). Two abamectin-resistant strains were generated by separate means. The mutagen, ethyl methanesulfonate, was used to generate an abamectin-resistant strain (LD₅₀= 29.4 ng larva^?1) from the susceptible laboratory strain. The other resistant strain (LD₅₀ = 45.3 ng larva^?1) was generated through an intense selection with abamectin of a field strain contained in cages set up in existing potato fields. Resistance ratios calculated from LD₅₀values for the two abamectin-resistant strains were 15-fold and 23-fold, respectively. Resistance ratios calculated from LD₉₇values (21-fold and 38-fold, respectively) were higher than those calculated at LD₅₀. Also, there were larvae in both resistant strains which were capable of surviving doses up to 100 ng larva^?1, while the susceptible strain had no survivors at 10 ng larva^?1. Although the logit mortality regression analysis produced statistically different lines for the two abamectin-resistant strains, the slopes of each appear to be the same. Both resistance factors were determined to be autosomal and incompletely recessive (0.26 to 0.4, respectively) via reciprocal F₁crosses to the susceptible laboratory strain.     

Seed coat texture,host species and time of application affect the efficacy of essential oils applied for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored pulses

The effects of the texture of seed coats of three pulse cultivars, of which two, TVu12349 (wrinkled cowpea) and Borno brown (rough cowpea) belonged to Vigna unguiculata, and one, Bunmonu (smooth bambara groundnut) belonged to Vigna subterranea, as well as pre-and post-oviposition application on the efficacy of the essential oils of clove (Syzgium aromaticum), West African black pepper (WABP) (Piper guineense) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), against oviposition and development of Callosobruchus maculatus, were investigated under prevailing storage conditions (32-35°C and 40-50% RH) and 24 h darkness in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Seed coat texture influenced the bioactivity of the essential oils, especially clove oil, against oviposition and the proportion of C. maculatus adults that emerged significantly more than host species: the mean numbers of eggs laid on the smooth-seeded Bunmonu, the rough-seeded Borno brown and the wrinkled TVu12349 were 16.9, 16.7 and 24.2%, respectively; adult emergence was 31.1% in the wrinkled TVu12349, 45.3% in the rough-seeded Borno brownand 10.2% in the smooth-seeded Bunmonu. The smooth-seeded Bunmonu reduced oviposition in seeds treated with clove oil by 91.4% and 98.4% relative to the mean number of eggs laid in the rough-seeded and the wrinkled Tvu12349, respectively; comparable figures of oviposition reduction by Bunmonu in untreated seeds were 4.8 and 15.9% relative to the mean number of eggs laid in Borno brown and Tvu12349, respectively. Both pre-and post-oviposition application of the essential oils significantly suppressed oviposition and/or adult emergence. In the pre-oviposition application, treatment of bambaranut seeds with clove, WABP and ginger oils at the rate of 1 mg/5 g seed reduced the mean number of eggs laid by C. maculatus by 70.7, 98.7 and 86.2%, respectively, relative to the number of eggs laid in untreated seeds. Post-oviposition treatments were, however, more effective on average, than pre-oviposition treatments in reducing the proportion of C. maculatus adults that emerged. In the post-oviposition application, no adult C. maculatus emerged in bambaranut seeds treated with clove oil at the rate of 0.5 or 1 mg/5 g seed.     

Acaricidal activity of triketone analogues derived from Leptospermum scoparium oil against house‐dust and stored‐food mites

BACKGROUND: Various attempts to control the populations of house‐dust and stored‐food mites have been implemented using synthetic chemicals. Although effective, the repeated use of these chemicals has led to resistance owing to the mite's high reproductive potential and short life cycle. Therefore, this study aimed to develop natural acaricides using oils derived from Leptospermum scoparium JR & G Forst., which may affect the overall biological activity of a mite without adverse effects. Results were compared with those from using benzyl benzoate and N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide (DEET). RESULTS: The LD₅₀ values of L. scoparium oil were 0.54, 0.67 and 1.12 µg cm^?2 against Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes), D. pteronyssinus (Troussart) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) respectively. The active constituent isolated from L. scoparium was identified as leptospermone (6‐isovaleryl‐2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐1,3,5‐cyclohexanetrione) by spectroscopic analysis. Based on the LD₅₀ values of leptospermone and its derivatives, the most toxic compound against D. farinae was leptospermone (0.07 µg cm^?2), followed by 2,2,4,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐1,3,5‐cyclohexanetrione (1.21 µg cm^?2), benzyl benzoate (10.03 µg cm^?2) and DEET (37.12 µg cm^?2). Furthermore, similar results were observed when the leptospermone and its derivatives were tested against D. pteronyssinus and T. putrescentiae. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that L. scoparium oil‐derived materials, particularly leptospermone and 2,2,4,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐1,3,5‐cyclohexanetrione, have potential for development as new agents for the control of three species of mite. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan

The rapid range expansion of naturalized Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in farmland is a serious problem in Fukuroi city in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Glyphosate has been used to control Italian ryegrass in the levees of rice paddy fields and wheat fields for ～20 years, but this weed in Fukuroi city is poorly controlled by glyphosate. In order to elucidate the level of resistance to glyphosate in Italian ryegrass populations, seed bioassays and a foliar application experiment, using seeds collected from 16 wild populations in and around Fukuroi city and from three susceptible cultivars, were conducted. For the susceptible cultivars and one population from a site where glyphosate had not been applied for >10 years, the shoot length in the seed bioassays was greatly suppressed at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L^?1 and no seedling survived after the foliar application of glyphosate at a rate of 2.3 kg ai ha^?1. Nine wild populations from levees in the southern part of Fukuroi city showed vigorous shoot growth at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L^?1 and had at least a 78% survival rate after the application of glyphosate at 2.3 kg ai ha^?1. Four wild populations from levees in the northern part of Fukuroi city showed a slight suppression of the shoot growth as a result of the glyphosate treatment and their survival rates ranged from 20 to 64%. The results suggested that resistance to glyphosate has evolved in the wild populations of Italian ryegrass that are growing on the levees. This is the first report of a glyphosate‐resistant weed in Japan.     

Insecticidal activity of 23 essential oils and their major compounds against adult Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis) (Aphididae: Homoptera)

Essential oils from 23 species of plants comprising 14 genera and 4 plant families were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The major compounds in these essential oils were identified with GC-MS and their insecticidal activity against adult turnip aphids, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis), tested with dosage-mortality bioassays. We examined mortality only for viviparous adults because sizeable aphid populations on crucifer (Brassicaceae) hosts are largely produced by these wingless, parthenogenic females. Twenty-two of the oils were directly applied to aphid females in randomized blocks at concentrations of 0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg ml(-1). Essential oils mixed with a non-toxic emulsifying agent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), more easily penetrated the waxy insect cuticle. Probit analysis and LC(50) at three different exposures showed aphids were quickly incapacitated and killed by aliphatic aldehydes, phenols and monocyclic terpenes contained in Bifora and Satureja oils and at applied concentrations as low as 0.3 to 1.0 mg ml(-1). Only enough Pimpinella isaurica oil and its three phenylpropanoid fractions were available for testing at a single concentration of 10 mg ml(-1). We could not spare any additional P. isaurica oil for testing at other concentrations. Phenylpropanoids isolated from P. isaurica oil when recombined or left naturally blended in the oil were highly bioactive against L. pseudobrassicae at 10 mg ml(-1).     

A mixed function oxidase factor contributing to permethrin and dichlorvos resistance in Lycoriella mali (fitch) (diptera: Sciaridae)

Several observations suggested that enhanced mixed function oxidase (MFO) activity was one of several factors contributing to permethrin and dichlorvos resistance in the mushroom pest, Lycoriella mali (Fitch) (Diptera: Sciaridae). This was investigated using the mixed function oxidase inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), in topical application bioassays with reference and field-selected resistant strains. At the LD₅₀, strains of resistant colonies (AV1, AV2, TK1) used in this study were 41-(AV1), 34-(AV2), and 62-fold (TK1) resistant to permethrin, relative to the reference strain (ONT9). Permethrin in the reference strain was only synergized 2- (ONT9) and 4- (ONT13) at the LD₅₀. Synergist ratios for resistant strains were 12 (AV1), 34 (AV2) and 94 (TK1) at the LD₅₀. Moderate dichlorvos resistance was twice documented in the AV strain. Resistance ratios of 37 (AV4) and 52 (AV9) were observed at the LD₅₀, relative to the reference strain (ONT10). Dichlorvos was synergized only 2-fold at the LD₅₀ in the reference strain (ONT10). However, PBO abolished dichlorvos resistance in the AV9 strain. The effectiveness of PBO in these studies indicated that enhanced MFO activity was present in resistant L. mali from southeastern Pennsylvania. Resistance to DDT (54-fold at the LD₅₀) was also documented. Other factors, such as an altered target site (kdr), may also have contributed to control failures with permethrin.     

Weeds for weed control: Asteraceae essential oils as natural herbicides

The aim of this study was to test the botanical family of Asteraceae as a source of natural herbicides. Twenty Asteraceae species were collected during flowering time and evaluated in terms of the yield and quality of essential oils (germination inhibition and growth of weeds). Half the species showed a sufficient yield of essential oil (from about 0.1% to 1.43%) when testing these phytochemicals in vitro as germination inhibitors of two typical weeds, Amaranthus retroflexus and Setaria viridis. Despite the higher tolerance of S. viridis, the concentration of 100 μg L^?1 of essential oils of the two Artemisia species and Xanthium strumarium could totally inhibit germination. In addition, at 10 μg L ^?1, the same essential oils showed full inhibition of A. retroflexus seeds. A comparison of their effectiveness at suboptimal doses led to a further selection of the most promising sources of essential oils. After their chemical characterisation, the essential oils were tested as post‐emergence herbicides on seedlings of the above‐cited weeds. After spraying the weeds at different concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 mg L^?1) during two different phenological stages of weed seedlings (cotyledons and the third true leaf), the essential oils of Artemisia annua and X. strumarium showed the best performance. The essential oils of X. strumarium were then tested again on both weeds to monitor the dynamics of plant injury. A reduction in plant fresh weight (about 20%–30% after 10 days) and chlorophyll content (destroyed, after the same amount of time) was found, thus confirming the total and rapid effectiveness of these essential oils. In summary, A. annua and X. strumarium have elicited considerable agronomic interest and appear to be suitable as a source of essential oils to act as natural herbicides.     

艾蒿精油对朱砂叶螨的生物活性及几种保护酶活性的影响

采用玻片浸渍法和熏蒸法测定了艾蒿精油对朱砂叶螨的生物活性,分析比较了亚致死剂量(LD_(10)、LD_(20)和LD_(30))和致死中量(LD50)处理雌成螨4、8、12、16、20和24 h后体内保护酶和蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明,经2.0%的艾蒿精油触杀后,雌成螨24、48和72 h的死亡率分别为21.48%、27.41%和77.78%,LC50分别为23.03%、13.25%和0.35%;艾蒿精油对卵的熏蒸作用较对雌成螨更强,对卵和雌成螨的ID50和LD50分别为0.21和8.93μL/L。艾蒿精油处理雌成螨后,螨体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性被激活,过氧化氢酶(CAT)和蛋白酶活性被抑制。LD_(10)、LD_(20)和LD_(30)处理8 h时,SOD活性分别为对照的1.43、2.29和2.60倍,POD的激活率分别为54.64%、31.96%和5.15%,CAT的抑制率分别为27.03%、20.46%和31.65%,蛋白酶的抑制率分别为21.53%、29.16%和45.09%。表明艾蒿精油对雌成螨的熏蒸作用可破坏体内保护酶的动态平衡和抑制蛋白酶活性,进而影响其正常生理代谢,对螨体产生毒害作用。因此,艾蒿精油对防治朱砂叶螨有一定的开发潜力。     

Insecticidal compounds from the essential oil of Chinese medicinal herb Atractylodes chinensis

BACKGROUND: In a screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, the essential oil of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz was found to possess strong insecticidal activity against the common vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster L. The essential oil was extracted via hydrodistillation, and its constituents were determined by GC‐MS analysis. RESULTS: The main components of A. chinensis essential oil were β‐eudesmol (21.05%), β‐selinene (11.75%), γ‐elemene (7.16%) and isopetasam (5.36%). Bioactivity‐directed chromatographic separation on repeated silica gel columns led to the isolation of five compounds, namely atractylon, α‐elemol, β‐eudesmol, hinesol and β‐selinene. β‐Selinene, α‐elemol and hinesol showed pronounced contact toxicity against D. melanogaster adults, with LD₅₀ values of 0.55, 0.65 and 0.71 µg adult^?1 respectively. Atractylon and β‐eudesmol were also toxic to the fruit flies (LD₅₀ = 1.63 and 2.65 µg adult^?1 respectively), while the crude oil had an LD₅₀ value of 2.44 µg adult^?1. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oil of Atractylodes chinensis and its active constituents may be explored as natural potential insecticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry