Toxicity, behavior impairment, and repellence of essential oils from pepper‐rosmarin and patchouli to termites

Abstract

Plant essential oils are potential sources of insecticidal compounds, but have rarely been explored for their effect on termites. In the present study, we assessed the chemical composition of essential oils of Lippia sidoides Cham. (pepper‐rosmarin; Verbenaceae) and Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (patchouli; Lamiacaeae) and evaluated their toxicity, behavioral impairment, and repellence to termite species of the genera Amitermes and Microcerotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae: Termitinae). The main components of essential oils of L. sidoides and P. cablin were thymol (44.6%) and patchouli alcohol (36.6%), respectively. The essential oil of P. cablin was most potent against Amitermes cf. amifer Silvestri and had the lowest LD50 (0.63 μg mg−1). There was no difference in toxicity for Microcerotermes indistinctus Mathews between the essential oils of L. sidoides (LD50 = 1.49 μg mg−1) and P. cablin (LD50 = 1.67 μg mg−1). Pogostemon cablin essential oil was the most toxic to M. indistinctus (LC50 = 0.32 μl ml−1) and A. cf. amifer (LC50 = 0.29 μl ml−1). The essential oils analyzed exhibited high toxicity and repellence to the termites, in addition to reducing behavioral interactions among individuals, thus constituting potential termiticides.

Alternative control of Aedes aegypti resistant to pyrethroids: lethal and sublethal effects of monoterpene bioinsecticides

“…These results show the potential of the use of this compound for the control of the A. aegypti mosquito. Our results corroborate those of previous studies that have shown that EOs from plants have an efficient insecticidal action on several pests . However, few studies have evaluated the potential insecticidal and sublethal effects of these compounds on populations of resistant insects, including A. aegypti .…”

Bioactivities of patchoulol and phloroacetophenone from Pogostemon cablin essential oil against three insects

“…[18] Smelling a unique woody odor, the essential oil of P. cablin, usually known as patchouli oil, is of great industrial importance [19] and has been reported showing bioactivities against insect pests. There are some reports recording the insecticidal activities of P. cablin against mosquito vectors, [20] cockroach, [21] termites, [22,23] armyworm, [24] and ants, [25,26] as well as repellent effects on termites, [22,23] sweetpotato whitefly, [27] urban ants [25] and the cockroach. [21] And a recent paper [26] reported that P. cablin essential oil showed behavioral impairment on leaf-cutting ants.…”

Formicidal activity of indole derivatives on Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier): Lethal, behavioural and locomotive effects

“…Individual behaviours of treated and untreated ants were evaluated according to the procedure of Bacci et al (2015).…”