Toxicity to, oviposition and population growth impairments of Callosobruchus maculatus exposed to clove and cinnamon essential oils

Abstract

The use of plant essential oils has been shown to efficiently control insect pests of stored beans, significantly reducing the threats associated with synthetic insecticides. Here, we evaluated the potential of applications of essential oils of clove, Syzygium aromaticum L., and cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum L., to control Callosobruchus maculatus, considered as one of the most cosmopolitan pests of stored beans. Using four combinations of couples (i.e., unexposed couples, exposed females, exposed males, and exposed couples), we also evaluated how sublethal exposure to these essential oils impacted C. maculatus oviposition. Bioassays results revealed that both essential oils exhibited insecticidal activities similar to the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin. Furthermore, oil dosage increments proportionately decreased the growth rate and reduced the losses in bean weight caused by cowpea weevils, and offspring emergence was almost abolished when parents were exposed to the LD20 of each essential oil. Finally, significant oviposition impairments were perceived only in couples where females were exposed (i.e., females exposed and exposed couples) to the LD20 of cinnamon and clove essential oils. Thus, by exhibiting similar insecticidal activities as synthetic insecticides and by significantly affecting the oviposition of sublethally exposed C. maculatus females, the cinnamon and clove essential oils represent valuable tools with potential of integration into the management of C. maculatus infestations.

Fumigant toxicity of eugenol and its negative effects on biological development of Callosobruchus maculatus L

“…In a recent study, it has been shown that eugenol have a strong inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) activities in Sitophilus oryzae, but also that the fumigant toxicities of the monoterpenes such as eugenol are higher than their contact and/ or oral toxicities (Athanassiou et al, 2014;Saad et al, 2018). Furthermore, eugenol-rich essential oils (e.g., clove essential oil) that exhibited insecticide activity similar to the activity recorded for deltamethrin (Viteri Jumbo et al, 2018) can be easily biodegraded by microorganisms (Mishra, S. & Sachan, S. 2013;Kadacol, J. & Kamanavalli, C. 2010).…”

Toxic, Oviposition Deterrent and Oxidative Stress Effects of Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil against Acanthoscelides obtectus

“…Significant bioactivity against pest insects has been recorded for essential oils from 1500 plant species [31]. Many studies on storage pests have shown that contact and fumigant applications of EOs increase mortality, reduce adult emergence and provoke repellent, feeding and oviposition deterrent behavioral responses [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. Negative effects on longevity and fecundity of pests as well as life history traits of their offspring have been recorded at sublethal concentrations [43][44][45][46].…”

Callosobruchus embryo struggle to guarantee progeny production

“…Some studies have documented that sublethal exposure to plant essential oils, or environmental changes (e.g., host changes) could impact the fitness of stored product insect pests. For example, clove and cinnamon essential oils have reported as toxic as the pyrethroid-based insecticide deltamethrin against C. maculatus and severely decreased adult emergence and egg number 16 . Host shift effects from kidney beans to cranberry beans have been studied in the bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus, and reproductive performance has been evaluated after exposure to clove and cinnamon essential oils.…”