Potential of essential oils to prevent fly strike and their effects on the longevity of adultLucilia sericata

Abstract

Lucilia sericata is a facultative ectoparasite causing fly strike or myiasis in warm‐blooded vertebrates. It is controlled by traps or insecticides, but both have drawbacks and alternative ways of control are urgently needed. Essential oils (EOs) of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and their blends (OBs); OB1 (2 ml of each EO plus 4 ml of sunflower oil as a carrier) and OB2 (2 ml of each EO) were tested. Oils were tested at 5% for deterrence assays, and a dose response assay 0.01‐0.6%, was conducted to determine forced‐contact toxicity. We evaluated the efficacy of oils as oviposition deterrents, repellents/attractants, and their effects on mortality and longevity of adult L. sericata. Our data indicated that 0.2% EOs killed all flies by 5 min post‐treatment and that vetiver oil greatly deterred flies from the oviposition medium and reduced adult longevity. Sunflower oil repelled all flies from ovipositing and greatly reduced the lifespan of treated adults. The blend of the four oils (OB1) had the greatest repellent effect on the flies. EOs have insecticidal, repellent, and oviposition‐deterrent activities against L. sericata that could be used for suppression of blow fly populations.

Efficacy and repellency of some essential oils and their blends against larval and adult house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

“…In our study, we chose to evaluate several EOs that are widely available and economical. Sunflower, a widely used vegetable oil, was added to OB1 as a carrier (Khater and Geden , Khater et al ).…”

“…In previous work we evaluated these same oils, combinations, and methods against larvae and adults of another muscoid fly, L. sericata (Khater and Geden , Khater et al ). In the present study, all of the oils had similar ovicidal and larvicidal effects throughout the three different exposure methods, except for lavender, which was less toxic in larvicide assays on filter paper.…”

“…Bioassays were conducted to determine the effects of EOs on fly larvae using three different exposure methods as described in Khater et al (), with modifications in the rearing medium for house flies. The first method involved dipping larval “pockets.” Fifteen late 3 rd instar larvae were placed onto a 150‐mm diameter disk of filter paper that was folded and tied to form a pocket.…”

“…Procedures for this assay were as described in Khater et al (), however, the rearing medium was changed to be suitable for M. domestica . Ten grams of rearing medium was placed in each cup (diameter=4 cm, height=2 cm) and treated with 1 ml of each oil, oil blend, or the 5% Tween 20 ® control.…”

“…Many studies have targeted a single fly developmental stage, assessed a single response type (toxicity, repellency), used very high concentrations, or involved oils that are costly or difficult to obtain. Recently we reported on the effects of realistic concentrations of several low‐cost and readily‐available EOs on immatures and adults of a causative agent of sheep fly strike, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Khater and Geden , Khater et al ). The objective of this study was to use the same oils and their blends as well as bioassay methods to test for efficacy against both immature and adult stages of house flies.…”