Activity of Schinus Areira (Anacardiaceae) Essential Oils against the Grain Storage Pest Tribolium castaneum

Abstract

Essential oils extracted from leaves and fruits of Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) were tested for their repellent, toxic and feeding deterrent properties against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and adults. A topical application assay was employed for the contact toxicity study and filter paper impregnation for the fumigant assay. A treated diet was also used to evaluate the repellent activity and a flour disk bioassay for the feeding deterrent action and nutritional index alteration. The essential oil of the leaves contained mainly monoterpenoids, with α-phellandrene, 3-carene and camphene predominant, whereas that from the fruits contained mainly α-phellandrene, 3-carene and β-myrcene. The leaf essential oil showed repellent effects, whereas that from the fruit was an attractant. Both oils produced mortality against larvae in topical and fumigant bioassays, but fumigant toxicity was not found against adults. Moreover, both essential oils produced some alterations in nutritional index. These results show that the essential oils from S. areira could be applicable to the management of populations of Tribolium castaneum.

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

“…under the same conditions as this work 56–59. In other works, EOs from rosemary, T. terniflora and S. areira exhibited contact toxicity against adults and larvae of T. castaneum and adults of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Trogoderma granarium Everts and S. oryzae 20, 60–63…”

“…The EOs from R. officinalis produced repellent effects on other aphid species 78, 85. Additionally, EOs from S. areira and T. terniflora proved to be efficient repellents against different pests 20, 26, 86. On the other hand, the EO from the Tagetes species did not produce a repellent effect on Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch 87…”

“…Compared with other botanical insecticides, such as neem and pyrethrum, the active ingredients of many EOs are reasonably priced and are commonly used as flavours and fragrances. Several studies have shown that EOs possess insecticidal and repellent properties, the ability to delay development, adult emergence and fertility and deterrent effects on feeding behaviour against agricultural insect pests 17–20. Moreover, because of the multiple sites of action through which the essential oil can act, the probability of developing a resistant population is very low 21, 22…”

“…Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Labiatae) have a widespread distribution, and their EOs have been shown to exhibit a range of biological activities: antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, spasmolytic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, nematicidal and insecticidal 20, 23–31 . Tagetes terniflora (Compositae) is a native species of north‐western Argentina and is used as an ornamental, as a natural colourant for food and for its antibacterial activity 32, 33…”

Essential Oils as a Potential Treatment Option for Pediculosis

“…The genus Schinus includes 25 species native to Central and South America [64]. They possess antioxidant, antimicrobial [65], and insecticidal [66] properties. Essential oils extracted from the leaves and fruits of Schinus areira were found to be effective against head lice [51].…”