Evaluation of the Insecticidal Activities of α-Pinene and 3-Carene on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

Pest management in most sub-Saharan subsistence agriculture involves mainly the use of botanicals that are either applied as powders, solvent extracts, ash or essential oils. Two hydrogenated monoterpenes (α-pinene and 3-carene) from Cupressus sempervirens were tested against Sitophilus zeamais in the laboratory to evaluate the contact and fumigation effects on the mortality of adult and immature weevils, progeny production, and grain damage. Contact toxicity of the terpenes was investigated at these concentrations: 0.08, 4, 8 and 12 ppm (terpene/maize), while fumigant action was studied at the following doses: 1, 2, 3, and 4 ppm. The results indicate that insecticidal effects were concentration-dependent since mortality increased with dosage and exposure periods. After a 14-day exposure period at the concentration of 12 ppm of α-pinene and 3-carene/grain, more than 98% mortality of the mature weevils was observed at concentrations of 4.1333 and 1.642 ppm respectively and progeny production was reduced by 98% and 100%, respectively. When α-pinene and 3-carene were applied as fumigants, LC50s (lethal concentrations that generate 50% mortality) of 1.402 and 0.610 ppm were obtained after 24 h of exposure, respectively. At concentrations above 3 ppm, both monoterpenes acted as repellents to weevils and reduced grain damage by 80%. Both monoterpenes inhibited the development of immature stages of the weevil and reduced progeny by up to 94%. These compounds are very promising and effective and could be exploited as novel phytoinsecticides against the maize weevil.

Compatibility of Beauveria bassiana and a Plant Secondary Metabolite: A Novel Modeling Approach to Invade Host Defense for Effective Control of Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) on Date Palms

“…The concentration-dependent time mortality response of O. afrasiaticus exhibited enhanced mortality response over time and concentrations in the current study. These results coincide with previous research findings [ 32 ] that strengthened our findings by revealing that α-Pinene is a promising compound for developing a novel effective formulation against S. zeamais Motschulsky. However, the low toxicity response (LC 50 = 3.41 mg/mL) recorded in this study is in compliance with previous studies against date palm dust mites exposed with some other plant secondary metabolites including 1-chlorooctadecane [ 6 ], and phytol [ 37 ], and these findings suggested the necessity to develop compatible toxin-pathogen synergistic interaction.…”

“…Plant secondary metabolites are untapped chemicals reservoir currently emerged as an attractive management option for agricultural pests due to the advancement in analytical chemistry and least risk to the environment. The studied (+)-α-Pinene is a polyphenolic terpene hydrocarbon with known toxicity against various pests including head lice [ 31 ], Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky [ 32 ], Spodoptera litura and Achaea janata [ 33 ]. The concentration-dependent time mortality response of O. afrasiaticus exhibited enhanced mortality response over time and concentrations in the current study.…”

“…In this regard, the concept of incorporation of plant secondary metabolites into the conidial suspension is gaining momentum in the field of eco-friendly pest management. In this regard, a polyphenolic terpene hydrocarbon (+)-α-Pinene is very much pertinent to the current study due to known toxicity against various pests including head lice [31], Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky [32], Spodoptera litura and Achaea janata [33]. In the past, numerous studies have been conducted on the compatibility and joint action of conidial suspensions with plant-based active natural products [34][35][36], and their findings revealed enhanced joint treatment response.…”

In vitro Anti-parasitic Activity of Pelargonium X. asperum Essential Oil Against Toxoplasma gondii

“…In addition, it can also kill Aedes mosquito ( Kaura et al, 2019 ) and inhibit the growth of Giardia lamblia cysts ( Dehghani-Samani et al, 2019 ). Two hydrogenated monoterpenes, extracted from Cupressus sempervirens ( Cs ) have been shown to possess pesticidal properties against Sitophilus zeamais ( Langsi et al, 2020 ). Citrus aurantifolia ( Ca ) belonging to the Rutaceae family can effectively ward off mosquitoes ( Araujo et al, 2016 ).…”

Recent studies on pinene and its biological and pharmacological activities

“…Herein, we summarize the recent published findings on the biological and pharmacological activities of pinene (Table 1 (Tab. 1) ; References in Table 1: Bouzenna et al, 2017[ 3 ]; Cardoso et al, 2020[ 4 ]; Chen et al, 2015[ 5 ]; de Macêdo et al, 2018[ 6 ]; do Amaral et al, 2020[ 7 ]; Ensaka and Sakamoto, 2020[ 8 ]; Felipe et al, 2019[ 10 ]; Govindarajan et al, 2016[ 11 ]; Hou et al, 2019[ 12 ]; İnce et al, 2018[ 13 ]; Jensen et al, 2020[ 14 ]; Jo et al, 2021[ 15 ]; Karthikeyan et al, 2018[ 17 ], 2019[ 16 ]; Kasuya et al, 2015[ 18 ]; Khoshnazar et al, 2019[ 19 ], 2020[ 20 ]; Kim et al, 2015[ 21 ]; Kovač et al, 2015[ 22 ]; Kusuhara et al, 2019[ 23 ]; Langsi et al, 2020[ 24 ]; Lee et al, 2017[ 25 ]; Li et al, 2016[ 28 ]; Memariani et al, 2017[ 29 ]; Meng et al, 2020[ 30 ]; Min et al, 2020[ 32 ]; Moreira et al, 2016[ 33 ]; Nóbrega et al, 2020[ 34 ]; Pajaro-Castro et al, 2017[ 35 ]; Pinheiro et al, 2015[ 36 ]; Porres-Martínez et al, 2016[ 37 ]; Rodrigues et al, 2015[ 39 ]; Šimunović et al, 2020[ 41 ]; Ueno et al, 2019[ 44 ], 2020[ 43 ]; Wang et al, 2019[ 46 ]; Xu et al, 2018[ 47 ]; Yang et al, 2016[ 48 ]; Zamyad et al, 2019[ 50 ]; Zhang et al, 2015[ 52 ], 202[ 51 ]0; Zhao et al, 2018[ 53 ]).…”