Effects of Zanthoxylum caribaeum essential oil against cotton bug Dysdercus peruvianus

Abstract

Agricultural crops need protection from a variety of different insects popularly known as pests. Some of these pests are becoming increasingly resistant to conventional pesticides, so new control alternatives are needed. In this work, the effects of the essential oil of the plant Zanthoxylum caribaeum on the development of cotton stink bug Dysdercus peruvianus were analyzed. After analysis by chromatography and mass spectrometry, the essential oil of Z. caribaeum presented 54 substances, the main constituents being Sylvestrene, Muurola-4 (14), 5-trans-diene, Isodaucene and α-Pinene. These compounds significantly increased insect mortality and interrupted metamorphosis and molting, often in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, nymphs with deformed legs, wings and antennae were observed. According to the data, the components present in the essential oil of Z. caribeum appear to be promising candidates for the development of green insecticides for use in future integrated pest management (MIP) programs.

Essential oils from Carapebus sandbank plants as natural controllers against insect pests of importance in Brazilian public health and agriculture

“…Furthermore, the EO from Pilocarpus spicatus leaves showed 98.10 % repellency against the larvae, when used a concentration equal to 50 mg/mL, after 10 hours. Limonene (46.8 %) was the principal compound of this oil (Nogueira et al, 2020). The EO from Z. caribaeum leaves also demonstrated effect against R. microplus, so that 5% concentration caused 65% mortality on the 1 st day after treatment, 85% on the 2 nd day, and 100% on the 5 th day (Nogueira, Vinturelle, et al, 2014).…”

“…Moreover, the oil from Zanthoxylum caribaeum leaves is rich in sylvestrene (11.3 %), muurola-4 ( 14), 5-trans-diene (8.4 %), isodaucene (8.3 %) and α-pinene (7.6 %) showed a LC 50 equal to 215 µg/insect, besides it interrupted insect metamorphosis and molting, often in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, nymphs with deformed legs, wings and antennae were observed (Pacheco et al, 2020).…”