Next Article in Journal
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Novel Polyazaheterocyclic Derivatives of Quinine
Previous Article in Journal
The g-Strained EPR Line Shape of Transition-Ion Complexes and Metalloproteins: Four Decades of Misunderstanding and Its Consequences
Previous Article in Special Issue
Andrographolide and Fucoidan Induce a Synergistic Antiviral Response In Vitro Against Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Effect of Thuja occidentalis L. Essential Oil Combined with Diatomite Against Selected Pests

by
Janina Gospodarek
1,*,
Elżbieta Boligłowa
1,
Krzysztof Gondek
2,
Krzysztof Smoroń
3 and
Iwona B. Paśmionka
1
1
Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture, al. A. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
2
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, University of Agriculture, al. A. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
3
Specialized Mining Company “Górtech” Sp. z o.o., ul. Galicyjska 1/43b, 31-586 Krakow, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153300
Submission received: 23 June 2025 / Revised: 24 July 2025 / Accepted: 1 August 2025 / Published: 6 August 2025

Abstract

Combining products of natural origin with different mechanisms of action on insect herbivores may provide an alternative among methods of plant protection against pests that are less risky for the environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mixtures of Thuja occidentalis L. essential oil and diatomite (EO + DE) compared to each substance separately in reducing economically important pests such as black bean aphid (BBA) Aphis fabae Scop., Colorado potato beetle (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say., and pea leaf weevil (PLW) Sitona lineatus L. The effects on mortality (all pests) and foraging intensity (CPB and PLW) were tested. The improvement in effectiveness using a mixture of EO + DE versus single components against BBA was dose- and the developmental stage-dependent. The effect of enhancing CPB foraging inhibition through DE addition was obtained at a concentration of 0.2% EO (both females and males of CPB) and 0.5% EO (males) in no-choice experiments. In choice experiments, mixtures EO + DE with both 0.2% and 0.5% EO concentrations resulted in a significant reduction in CPB foraging. A significant strengthening effect of EO 0.5% through the addition of DE at a dose of 10% against PLW males was observed in the no-choice experiment, while, when the beetles had a choice, the synergistic effect of a mixture of EO 0.5% and DE 10% was also apparent in females. In conclusion, the use of DE mixtures with EO from T. occidentalis appears to be a promising strategy. The results support the idea of not using doses of EO higher than 0.5%.
Keywords: black bean aphid; Colorado potato beetle; pea leaf weevil; eastern white cedar; natural products; field crop pests; foraging inhibition black bean aphid; Colorado potato beetle; pea leaf weevil; eastern white cedar; natural products; field crop pests; foraging inhibition

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Gospodarek, J.; Boligłowa, E.; Gondek, K.; Smoroń, K.; Paśmionka, I.B. Effect of Thuja occidentalis L. Essential Oil Combined with Diatomite Against Selected Pests. Molecules 2025, 30, 3300. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153300

AMA Style

Gospodarek J, Boligłowa E, Gondek K, Smoroń K, Paśmionka IB. Effect of Thuja occidentalis L. Essential Oil Combined with Diatomite Against Selected Pests. Molecules. 2025; 30(15):3300. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153300

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gospodarek, Janina, Elżbieta Boligłowa, Krzysztof Gondek, Krzysztof Smoroń, and Iwona B. Paśmionka. 2025. "Effect of Thuja occidentalis L. Essential Oil Combined with Diatomite Against Selected Pests" Molecules 30, no. 15: 3300. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153300

APA Style

Gospodarek, J., Boligłowa, E., Gondek, K., Smoroń, K., & Paśmionka, I. B. (2025). Effect of Thuja occidentalis L. Essential Oil Combined with Diatomite Against Selected Pests. Molecules, 30(15), 3300. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153300

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop