Insecticidal effects of essential oils from six aromatic and medicinal plants on the pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff)

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to test some essential oils in order to recommend a method of effective control of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff. Essential oils composition, polyphenols content, and antioxidant activity of six aromatic and medicinal plants leaf from Tabarka were investigated. The essential oils obtained by steam distillation from six plant species naturally grown in Tabarka forests were tested at three different concentrations in order to evaluate their effectiveness against the larvae of pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff).Our results revealed the effect of Pinus pinaster essential oils which gave the highest mortality rate of 80.55% and the fastest on Thaumetopoea pityocampa Scihiff. followed by Lavandula stoechas and Eucalyptus camaldulensis with 74.81 and 72.81%. The other species tested were P. pinea, Juniperus oxycedrus and Cupressus sempervirens also had a considerable effect on caterpillar mortality with percentages 66.66, 58.26 and 40.49%. Then, a phytochemical study of the six species tested was carried out which showed that some oils can be used as a spray substance to control T. pityocampa Schiff due to their compositions in active substances.

Keywords: Essential oils, pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff), insecticidal activity, Tabarka forests.

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