Chemical composition and bioactivities of three Chrysanthemum essential oils against Tribolium confusum (du Val) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Essential oils from three species of Chrysanthemum growing in Tunisia (C. coronarium, C. fuscatum, and C. grandiflorum) were first analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS) and then evaluated for toxicity and antifeeding action against Tribolium confusum. The essential oils obtained from leaves and flowers shared a similar qualitative composition, but the relative proportions of the constituents were quite different. The essential oil of C. grandiflorum was rich in sesquiterpenoids, while those of C. fuscatum and C. coronarium were rich in monoterpenoids. The main common constituents of all the essential oils were ??-pinene, myrcene, ??-humulene, ??-caryophylene, spathulenol, and caryophyllene oxide. The most effective essential oil was obtained from the leaves of C. grandiflorum, that inhibited the relative growth rate (?0.03?mg/mg/d), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (?50.69%), relative consumption rate, caused an antifeeding effect (66.43%) and a high mortality (80%) of T. confusum larvae. Topical application C. grandiflorum essential oil caused a significant insect mortality that attends 27% after 7?days of treatment. While essential oil from C. coronarium flowers has contact and fumigant toxicity with a mortality of 9 and 13%, respectively. Results analysis highlights a relationship between essential oils composition and insecticidal activity against T. confusum. The study showed that each essential oil has specific chemical composition and act differently according to the nature of attributed test. The use of essential oils from different Chrysanthemum species with different methods helps poor farmers who store small amounts of grains to preserve it against pest infestation.     

Chemical composition and antifungal properties of essential oils of three Pistacia species

The chemical composition of essential oils obtained from the leaves of Pistacia vera, Pistacia terebinthus, Pistacia lentiscus and the resin of Pistacia lentiscus were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. alpha-Pinene, beta-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol were found to be the major components. The antifungal activities of the above oils and P. lentiscus resin (total, acidic and neutral fractions) against the growth of three agricultural pathogens, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium sambucinum were evaluated. Some doses of P. terebinthus, P. vera and P. lentiscus leaf oils and total and neutral fraction of P. lentiscus resin significantly inhibited the growth of R. solani. However, all samples did not show antifungal activity against P. ultimum and F. sambucinum, but increased the growth of F. sambucinum.     

Chemical composition and the insecticidal activity of certain plants applied as powders and essential oils against two stored-products coleopteran beetles

Powders and essential oils were prepared from the aerial parts of Cinnamomum camphora, Ocimum basilicum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, and seeds of Pimpinella anisum. Their adulticidal activities and effects on the F₁ progeny of Trogoderma granarium (Everts) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) were evaluated. The chemical composition of the plant oils were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS). All of the tested botanicals showed insecticidal activities against the test insects in a dose-dependent manner with T. granarium was more susceptible to the tested plant products than T. castaneum. At a concentration of 5 g kg⁻¹, many of the plant powders caused 100% mortality of both insects after 14 days of exposure. The powders of C. camphora, O. basilicum, and C. ambrosioides were effective against T. granarium, while that of C. ambrosioides caused 100% adult mortality of T. castaneum under the same assays conditions. A dose of 1.50 ml cm⁻² of the oils of C. camphora and O. basilicum completely controlled T. granarium, while 100% mortality of T. castaneum adults was recorded with P. anisum oil. A significant and/or complete reduction (100% inhibition) of the F₁ progeny of both insects was obtained as a result of parental exposure to the tested botanicals, especially at the highest doses applied. Botanicals under investigation showed a considerable grain protecting activity against the tested insect species and could be included in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.     

Chemical composition,insecticidal and biochemical effects of essential oils of different plant species from Northern Egypt on the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae L.

The extensive use of synthetic insecticides and fumigants for control stored-product insects has led to the development of resistance. Essential oils from aromatic plants may provide proper alternatives to currently used insect control agents. Essential oils from 20 Egyptian plants were obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the oils was identified by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. Fumigant and contact toxicities of the essential oils were evaluated against Sitophilus oryzae. The inhibitory effects of the essential oils on acetylcholinesterase and adenosine triphosphatases activities were examined. The oils were composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (i.e., limonene, sabinene, β-pinene and γ-terpinene) and oxygenated monoterpenes (i.e., terpinen-4-ol, β–thujone, 4-terpineol, α-citral and 1,8-cineole) with the exception of the oil of Schinus terebinthifolius which was contained sesquiterpenes, and the oil of Vitex agnus-castus which contained similar amounts of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. In the fumigation assay, the oils of Origanum vulgare (LC₅₀ = 1.64 mg/L air), Citrus lemon (LC₅₀ = 9.89 mg/L air), Callistemon viminals (LC₅₀ = 16.17 mg/L air), Cupressus sempervirens (LC₅₀ = 17.16 mg/L air), and Citrus sinensis (LC₅₀ = 19.65 mg/L air) showed high toxicity to S. oryzae. In the contact assay, the oils of Artemisia judaica, C. viminals, and O. vulgare caused the highest toxicity to S. oryzae with LC₅₀ values of 0.08, 0.09, and 0.11 mg/cm², respectively. The oil of A. judaica (I₅₀ = 16.1 mg/L) invoked the highest inhibitory effect on AChE activity, while the oils of C. viminals and O. vulgare were the most potent inhibitors to ATPases activity with I₅₀ values of 4.69 and 6.07 mg/L, respectively. The results indicate that the essential oils of A. Judaica, O. vulgare, C. limon, C. viminals, and C. sempervirens could be applicable to the management of populations of S. oryzae.     

Chemical composition of Eucalyptus erythrocorys essential oils and evaluation of their herbicidal and antifungal activities

The chemical composition of essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Tunisian Eucalyptus erythrocorys Linn. was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Fifteen compounds were identified, representing 97 % of total oil, which was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (66.7 %), particularly in 1,8-cineole (54.8 %). The yield and the physico-chemical properties of oil were determined. The study of antifungal activity revealed that E. erythrocorys essential oil significantly inhibited the growth of five plant pathogenic fungi especially Bipolaris sorikiniana and Botritys cinerea. Moreover, herbicidal properties of the oil, tested on Sinapis arvensis L. and Phalaris canariensis L. indicated that the E. erythrocorys oil completely inhibited the seed germination at high concentration (1.5 μl/ml), while at low doses (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 μl/ml) the oil acted by decreasing and delaying the germination and inhibiting the seedling growth of all tested weeds.     

Chemical composition of the Lippia origanoides essential oils and their antigenotoxicity against bleomycin-induced DNA damage

The present work evaluated the chemical composition of the essential oils (EO) obtained from Lippia origanoides and their DNA protective effect against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. L. origanoides EO chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The major compounds of the L. origanoides EOs were thymol (34–58%) and carvacrol (26%). The antigenotoxic effects of the EOs, major compounds and standard compound (epigallocatechin gallate) were assayed in co-incubation procedures using the SOS chromotest in Escherichia coli. Both EOs and their major compounds protected bacterial cells against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity indicating that these two compounds were principally responsible for the antigenotoxicity detected in the oils. Thymol and carvacrol antigenotoxicity was lower than those observed with epigallocatechin gallate. The results were discussed in relation to the chemopreventive potential of L. origanoides EOs and their major components, carvacrol and thymol.     

Fumigant toxicity of essential oils against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our aim was to perform a qualitative review and a meta-analysis with 57 scientific articles (108 assays) published from 1 January 2000 to 31 June 2021 dealing with fumigant toxicity of essential oils (EOs) against Sitophilus zeamais. The studies were obtained from four electronic databases: Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The survey comprised 107 plant species belonging to 26 different families. Lethal concentration values (LC₅₀) of EOs were included in a random-effect model, and two subgroups were defined: “until 24 h” and “more than 24 h”. The EOs more frequently evaluated were those belonging to Lamiaceae (20.18%), Asteraceae (17.43%), Apiaceae (9.17%), and Rutaceae (6.42%). The global mean value was 21.37 (CI₉₅ 16.84–27.12), while the summary mean values of the subgroups were 41.45 (CI₉₅ 31.10–55.26) for “until 24 h” and 8.45 (CI₉₅ 5.72–12.48) for “more than 24 h”. Most species belonging to Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Schisandraceae reported the highest insecticidal effects with mean values that ranged from 1.31 to 27.39 for “until 24 h” and from 0.57 to 5.31 for “more than 24 h”. Additionally, the toxicity of the most effective EOs was discussed by addressing their chemical composition and their major pure compounds chemical features.

     

Efficiency of phosphine and combinations of phosphine with carbon dioxide against Khapra Beetle larvaeTrogoderma granarium everts. (Col., Dermestidae)

Investigations conducted in the laboratory for comparing the efficacy of phosphine with that of mixtures of the gas plus carbon dioxide against diapause larvae ofTrogoderma granarium showed that addition of varying concentrations of CO₂ (20, 50, 75 and 100%) to fixed PH₃-concentrations had a negative influence on phosphine efficacy against diapause larvae of Khapra Beetle at 30°C for short exposure periods of 18 and 24 hours. On the other hand, it was found that for longer exposure periods of 48 and 72 hours, the addition of CO₂ to phosphine induced significantly higher larval mortality than that by PH₃ alone, whereby an additive effect was proved for mixtures contained PH₃+75% and 100% CO₂. The addition of 20% and 50% CO₂ to PH₃ at 20°C did not show any increase in larval mortalities of the mixtures for exposure periods between 24–96 hours. The larval mortalities obtained for an atmosphere contained 20 and 50% CO₂ alone at 20 and 30°C was (0–6%) and (10–40%), respectively, after 10 days exposure period.     

Synergistic mechanism of insecticidal activity in basil and mandarin essential oils against the tobacco cutworm

Journal of Pest Science - Owing to the complexity in the chemical composition of plant essential oils, they often display enhanced insecticidal activity when applied as a mixture. Although the...     

Molecular identification of Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) using the 16s gene

The Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is a global pest species of stored grain products. Accurate identification of Trogoderma specimens trapped within stores of grain is critical to surveillance and exclusion efforts for the Khapra beetle. To enhance diagnostic capacity, we report PCR-based diagnostic assays for Khapra beetle identification. Three methods such as conventional PCR, real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing are reported for the diagnosis of Trogoderma specimens captured within the U.S. All three methods discern the Khapra beetle based on variation in fragments of 16S mitochondrial DNA. To examine PCR assay stringency, ten native or introduced Trogoderma species and two Megatoma species were also examined. These DNA-based assays provide reliable identification of T. granarium regardless of condition, life stage, or taxonomic expertise of the investigator.     

Compositions and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of two Hypericum species from Turkey

The chemical compositions of essential oils obtained from Hypericum hyssopifolium var. microcalycinum and Hypericum lysimachioides var. lysimachioides were analysed by using GC and GC-MS. Caryophyllene oxide was found to be the major component. The essential oils of both Hypericum species showed antimicrobial activity against nine microorganism at a concentration of 60 to 80 microg/ml.     

浅析加强天牛检疫的重要性

天牛作为一种林木主要害虫，正随大量进口的木材和日益增多的货物木质包装涌入我国，仅2000年江苏口岸就截获国外天牛多达22种。该文列举了口岸截获的具有危险性的国外天牛种类，并提出了应密切关注的天牛种类。     

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of Boswellia ovalifoliolata essential oils from leaf and bark

We isolated the essential oils from Boswellia ovalifoliolata N.P.Balakr and A.N.Henry using hydrodistillation,identified the obtained compounds using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and studied the photophysical and electrochemical properties using UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.On the basis of GC–MS spectra,38 compounds were identified in the essential oil from leaves and 26 in the oil from bark.The bark oil contained 13.44% b-Farnesene(sesquiterpene),10.45% caryophyllene oxide(sesquiterpene) and 6.6% spathulenol,(2 Z,6 E)-(sesquiterpene alcohol); the leaf oil contained 11.1% spathulenol(sesquiterpene alcohol),9.0% caryophyllene oxide(sesquiterpenoids) and 6.3% decyl acetate(ester).FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones,carboxylic acid,alcohols,esters and ethers in both oil types.UV–visible absorption spectra showed maximum absorbance at 245,290 and 402 nm for bark oil,and 250,285 and 325 nm for leaf.Bark oil showed strong emission with maximum emission wavelength at 456 nm was higher than that of leaf oil at 414 nm.The essential oil had significant anti-inflammatory activity,and the reduction potential of the leaf oil was-0.44 and-0.56 e V for bark.     

Distribution and composition of carabid beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities across the plantation forest cycle—Implications for management

If national afforestation targets are met, the proportion of area under plantation forest cover in Ireland will almost double by the year 2030 to 17%, and will consist of mostly non-native trees. There is an urgent and vital need to assess and to maximise the biodiversity potential of these forests. This study compares carabid beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) composition and assemblage patterns across different stages of the forest cycle, in addition to intensive grassland habitats, the habitat the plantation forest will most likely be replacing. The clearfell habitat had the highest median species richness, while the grassland habitat had the highest species diversity, but lowest species dominance. Ordination analysis revealed that the species assemblages of all stages of the forest cycle could be clearly separated from the grassland habitat, while differences were also observed between forest stages. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the most significant factors influencing carabid community composition were percent cover of ground vegetation and mosses, and also percent soil moisture. Differences in species with varying physical traits and microhabitat preferences were also observed between habitats, with larger, brachypterous species positively associated with increasing canopy cover and smaller macropterous species displaying the opposite pattern. The presence and abundance of forest-associated species increased with increasing plantation age, with a corresponding decrease in open habitat-associated and generalist species. The results of this study suggest that at the landscape scale, a variety of different aged forest stands would maximise the biodiversity potential of the planned afforestation.     

Hyptis suaveolens and Hyptis spicigera (Lamiaceae) essential oils: qualitative analysis, contact toxicity and repellent activity against Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)

Essential oils from Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poiteau (Lamiaceae) and Hyptis spicigera Lamarck (Lamiaceae) were first analysed by gas chromatography and by gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectroscopy and then evaluated for toxicity and repellent activity against Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), one of the most serious worldwide stored grain pests. Fifty-six compounds have been identified in the essential oil of H. suaveolens: monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most represented volatiles (64.1%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (24.0%), oxygenated monoterpenes (8.1%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (2.4%). Diterpenes and non-terpene derivatives were scarcely represented. Sixty compounds have been identified in the essential oil of H. spicigera: monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most represented class of volatiles (70.4%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (22.6%). Results from topical applications on insects showed that both essential oils had an effective insecticidal activity. The complete kill of S. granarius was observed 24 h after treatment at a minimum effective dose of 0.4 and 0.6 μl per insect with H. suaveolens and H. spicigera oil, respectively. Results from repellency tests showed that the two essential oils had a repellent activity on S. granarius adults: at the lowest dose (2 × 10⁻⁴ μl oil per cm²), H. spicigera essential oil exhibited a higher repellent effect in comparison to H. suaveolens. No significant differences were observed for the repellent effect between the two essential oils at the highest dose (2 × 10⁻² μl oil per cm²).     

Thermal-death kinetics of the bark beetle (Dendroctonus armandi; Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Data on thermal-death kinetics of bark beetles are essential to develop phytosanitary heat treatments for pine wood and pine wood packaging materials. Using a heating block system, effects of different heating rates between 44 and 50°C at 2°C intervals on destruction of Dendroctonus armandi adult insect were examined. Heat resistance of the insects was found to increase at low heating rates (0.1 or 0.5°C/min). Therefore, the thermal-death kinetics of the beetles were determined at a high heating rate of 5.0°C/min which simulated the rapid dielectric heating of wood products. Results showed that the thermal death curve of D. armandi followed a zero-order reaction kinetic model, indicating the heat destruction rate of the beetle at different treatment temperatures to be independent of their population size. The required thermal holding times to result in destruction of the entire population were 40, 8, 4, and 2?min at 44°C, 46°C, 48°C, and 50°C, respectively. The evaluated thermal-death kinetic data are useful in developing effective beetle elimination quarantine protocols for the wood. A 50°C ?2?min heat treatment with a heating rate of ～5°C/min can be effectively used for disinfesting bark wood materials.     

Toxicity and repellence of Taiwanese indigenous djulis, Chenopodium formosaneum, against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Forcipomyia taiwana (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The biological activity of djulis (Chenopodium formosaneum) extracts was evaluated against mosquitoes and biting midges. Djulis extracts were relatively nontoxic to Aedes albopictus larvae. However, they showed interesting repellence against adult mosquitoes as estimated by the median effective dosages (ED₅₀). ED₅₀ values for djulis extracts against mosquito adults in descending order were: seed extracted with methanol (0.83 %), seed extracted with dichloromethane (0.66 %), leaf extracted with methanol (0.50 %), and leaf extracted with dichloromethane (0.40 %). Field tests also suggested that djulis methanol extracts were effective at about a 1 % level against biting midges (Forcipomyia taiwana). A total of 15 and 20 compounds accounting for 88.8 and 79.9 % in the seed and leaf extract, respectively were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Among these, 9, 12-octadecadienoyl chloride, (Z, Z) was found in both as well as being the major constituent in the leaf extract (35.7 %). Further studies on the repellent property of the extracts against mosquitoes and biting midges are warranted.     

Damage reduction and performance of mass trapping devices for forest protection against the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae)

? The spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, is one of the main European forest pests, and mass trapping is probably the most common strategy applied to reduce its population density. However, the results concerning the effectiveness of this control system are often controversal, and many studies consider only the trapping performance with no attention to the damage reduction.

? During spring-summer 2005, a control program against I. typographus outbreaks was set up in NE Italy. Twenty-four spruce forests heavily infested by I. typographus were studied: six protected by pheromone slot-traps, six by horizontal trap-logs and six by standing trap-logs; six untreated stands were kept as controls. Trap-logs were baited with a pheromone specific to I. typographus and treated with insecticide. Each type of device was tested at high, medium and low density in relation to the number of trees infested during the previous year. New damage occurring in the investigated stands was later monitored for one year.

? Protected forests showed mean damage about 80% lower in 2005 than in 2004, with no statistical difference among traps, trap-logs or standing trap-logs. Instead, unprotected forests (controls) suffered damage to a similar extent in both years. Trapping devices showed no statistical differences among mean captures. Device densities showed similar results in damage reduction and insect trapping.

? The results support the hypothesis that intensive trapping performed at stand level may be useful for protecting forests against I. typographus, locally reducing population density and tree mortality.

     

Pathogens and parasites of adults of the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Turkey

In this study, the pathogen and parasite spectra of Turkish populations of the great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are analysed. In addition to the previously studied infective green alga Helicosporidium, three more pathogens and parasites, i.e. the yeast Metschnikowia sp., the neogregarine Mattesia sp. and a nematode, were recorded here for the first time. The pathogens and parasites occur in different quantities and combinations in outbreaks of the beetle at five Turkish localities.     

Acceptability of different sugars and oils to three tropical ant species (Hymen., Formicidae)

Baits are generally more effective than insecticidal sprays and dusts for controlling ant infestations. It is important to use a highly acceptable food attractant in order for baits to be effective. We examined the acceptability of 6 sugars and oils to 3 ant species,Pheidole megacephala (Fab.),Ochetellus glaber (Mayr), andParatrechina longicornis (Latr.). One of these sugars, melezitose, is a trisaccharide found only in the honeydew of homopterous insects.P. megacephala showed a significant preference for melezitose over maltose and trehalose, but not over fructose and surcose. O.glaber significantly preferred sucrose over maltose andP. longicornis did not show any significant preferences for the different sugars.P. megacephala showed a significant preference for olive oil. NeitherO. glaber norP. longicornis showed a preference for the different oils and there were very low numbers ofO. glaber andP. longicornis workers attracted to oiltreated disks. Hence, oil-based baits would probably not be effective for controlling either of these latter two ant species.With one table