MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

15 pages, 3619 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation into the Biological Activities of Four Lamiaceae Essential Oils Against Thrips flavus, Crops, and Weeds

by Yuxin Zhou, Tianhao Pei, Xuechao Zhou, Meng-Lei Xu, Hexin Gao, Lulu Wang and Yu Gao

Plants 2025, 14(3), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030448 - 3 Feb 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3577

Abstract

In recent years, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection and food safety, essential oils (EOs) have gained significant attention as safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives. This study investigated the insecticidal activity of four Lamiaceae EOs (patchouli oil, catnip oil, lavender oil, and mint oil) against Thrips flavus and their effects on crops and weeds. The results show that patchouli oil, catnip oil, and lavender oil exhibited better insecticidal activity, with patchouli oil having the strongest toxicity, with an LC₅₀ value of 0.31 mg/mL. Additionally, catnip oil and lavender oil had significant attractive effects on T. flavus, where lavender oil only had a significant attractive effect on male T. flavus, with an attraction rate of 71.88% (p = 0.03), suggesting that it could be a potential alternative to insect lures. In pot experiments, these EOs demonstrated sustained insecticidal effects and varied impacts on crops. Lavender oil only significantly affected the shoot length of soybeans (Glycine max), while mint oil did not significantly affect the growth of G. max. Finally, we preliminarily analyzed the chemical composition of the EOs to provide insights into their active components. These findings indicate that EOs have potential applications as natural agrochemicals, but further research on their mechanisms and application conditions is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Essential Oil with Biological Activity: 3nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1357 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Newly Discovered Components of Dendrolimus pini Sex Pheromone

by Krzysztof J. Rudziński, Dorota Staszek, Monika Asztemborska, Lidia Sukovata, Jerzy Raczko, Marek Cieślak, Andrzej Kolk and Rafał Szmigielski

Insects 2022, 13(11), 1063; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13111063 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3529

Abstract

The pine-tree lappet moth, D. pini, is a harmful defoliator of pine forests in Europe and Asia and a potentially invasive species in North America. The lures for trapping D. pini males based on two known components of its sex pheromone appeared weakly attractive to male moths. Identification of all components of the sex pheromone might allow for the development of more effective lures. The pheromone was sampled from virgin females using SPME and analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Four new likely components ((Z5)-dodecenal, (Z5)-dodecen-1-ol, (Z5)-decen-1-yl acetate, (Z5)-tetradecen-1-yl acetate) and two known components ((Z5,E7)-dodecadienal, (Z5,E7)-dodecadien-1-ol) were identified based on comparison against authentic standards, Kováts indices and spectra libraries. The samples also contained several sesquiterpenes. Wind tunnel and field experiments showed that some blends of synthetic pheromone components alone or enriched with Scots pine essential oil (SPEO) were attractive to D. pini males. One component—(Z5)-decen-1-yl acetate—had a repelling effect. The presented knowledge of D. pini sex pheromone provides a basis for developing optimal lures for monitoring or controlling insect populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Communication in Insects: New Advances in IPM Strategies)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2498 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Community of Bark and Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) in Agricultural and Forest Ecosystems with Laurel Wilt

by Kevin R. Cloonan, Wayne S. Montgomery, Teresa I. Narvaez, Daniel Carrillo and Paul E. Kendra

Insects 2022, 13(11), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13110971 - 22 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4219

Abstract

Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, is an invasive wood-boring pest first detected in the USA in 2002 in Georgia. The beetle’s dominant fungal symbiont, Harringtonialauricola, causes laurel wilt, a lethal disease of trees in the Lauraceae. Over the past 20 years, X. glabratus and laurel wilt have spread to twelve southeastern states, resulting in high mortality of native Persea species, including redbay (P. borbonia), swampbay (P. palustris), and silkbay (P. humilis). Laurel wilt also threatens avocado (P. americana) in south Florida, but in contrast to the situation in forests, X. glabratus is detected at very low levels in affected groves. Moreover, other species of ambrosia beetle have acquired H. lauricola and now function as secondary vectors. To better understand the beetle communities in different ecosystems exhibiting laurel wilt, parallel field tests were conducted in an avocado grove in Miami-Dade County and a swampbay forest in Highlands County, FL. Sampling utilized ethanol lures (the best general attractant for ambrosia beetles) and essential oil lures (the best attractants for X. glabratus), alone and in combination, resulting in detection of 20 species. This study documents host-related differences in beetle diversity and population levels, and species-specific differences in chemical ecology, as reflected in efficacy of lures and lure combinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Surveillance Tools and Monitoring Strategies for Native and Exotic Forest Insects)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1536 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Contact Toxicity and Ovideterrent Activity of Three Essential Oil-Based Nano-Emulsions against the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae

by Giulia Giunti, Francesca Laudani, Emilio Lo Presti, Monica Bacchi, Vincenzo Palmeri and Orlando Campolo

Horticulturae 2022, 8(3), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030240 - 10 Mar 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4564

Abstract

The control strategies for the olive crop key pest, Bactrocera oleae, involve synthetic chemical insecticides and few eco-sustainable alternatives, such as ovideterrents and lures. In the last few decades, the interest concerning the formulation of botanical based biopesticides increased, but little research investigated the suitability of these approaches for B. oleae control. This research aimed to investigate the residual contact toxicity and the oviposition deterrence of three essential oil (EO)-based nano-emulsions (Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha × piperita) against B. oleae adult flies. All the nano-emulsions possessed optimal physical characteristics, with droplets dimensions ranging from 115 to 152 nm and low PDI values (<0.2), even after 1 year of storage. Although no notable residual contact toxicity was noted, all the tested formulations reduced the number of oviposition puncture in no-choice tests (percent repellence: mint < fennel < anise). In choice trials, olives treated with fennel and anise EO-formulations at the highest concentration (7.5%, 75 g of EO/L) were less attractive respect to control fruits and a significant reduction of olive punctures was recorded. Nano-biopesticides are promising eco-friendly tools to integrate B. oleae pest management programs and to reduce the use of harmful conventional active ingredients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Pest Management in Horticultural Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

42 pages, 942 KB

Open AccessReview

Toxics or Lures? Biological and Behavioral Effects of Plant Essential Oils on Tephritidae Fruit Flies

by Valeria Zeni, Giovanni Benelli, Orlando Campolo, Giulia Giunti, Vincenzo Palmeri, Filippo Maggi, Roberto Rizzo, Gabriella Lo Verde, Andrea Lucchi and Angelo Canale

Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5898; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195898 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 7385

Abstract

The family Tephritidae (Diptera) includes species that are highly invasive and harmful to crops. Due to globalization, international trade, and human displacement, their spread is continuously increasing. Unfortunately, the control of tephritid flies is still closely linked to the use of synthetic insecticides, which are responsible for detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Recently, research is looking for alternative and more eco-friendly tools to be adopted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. In this regard, essential oils (EOs) and their main compounds represent a promising alternative to chemical insecticides. EOs are made up of phytoconstituents formed from the secondary metabolism of many plants and can act as attractants or toxics, depending on the dose. Because of this unique characteristic, EOs and their main constituents are promising tools that can be used both in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs and in the “lure and kill” technique, exploiting the attractiveness of the product in the former case and its toxicity in the latter. In this article, current knowledge on the biological and behavioral effects of EOs and their main constituents on tephritid fruit flies is reviewed, mainly focusing on species belonging to the Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Zeugodacus genera. The mechanisms of action of EOs, their real-world applications, and challenges related to their use in IPM are critically discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Featured Reviews on Bioactive Flavour and Fragrance Compounds)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1108 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bioactivity of Carlina acaulis Essential Oil and Its Main Component towards the Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae: Ingestion Toxicity, Electrophysiological and Behavioral Insights

by Roberto Rizzo, Marco Pistillo, Giacinto Salvatore Germinara, Gabriella Lo Verde, Milko Sinacori, Filippo Maggi, Riccardo Petrelli, Eleonora Spinozzi, Loredana Cappellacci, Valeria Zeni, Angelo Canale and Giovanni Benelli

Insects 2021, 12(10), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100880 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3753

Abstract

Among botanical insecticides based on essential oils (EOs) or their main components, Carlina acaulis EO and the aromatic polyacetylene carlina oxide, constituting more than 90% of its EO, were recently proven to be effective against the larvae and adults of some insect vectors and pests. In this study, the toxicity of C. acaulis EO and carlina oxide were tested on Bactrocera oleae adults using a protein bait formulation. The LC₅₀ values of the C. acaulis EO and carlina oxide were 706 ppm and 1052 ppm, respectively. Electroantennographic (EAG) tests on B. oleae adults showed that both carlina EO and oxide elicited EAG dose-dependent responses in male and female antennae. The responses to the EO were significantly higher than those to carlina oxide, indicating that other compounds, despite their lower concentrations, can play a relevant role. Moreover, Y-tube assays carried out to assess the potential attractiveness or repellency of carlina oxide LC₉₀ to B. oleae adults showed that it was unattractive to both males and females of B. oleae, and the time spent by both sexes in either the control or the treatment arm did not differ significantly. Overall, this study points out the potential use of C. acaulis EO and carlina oxide for the development of green and effective “lure-and-kill” tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Search Results (6)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI

Saved Queries

Search Filter Reset All

Years

Feature Papers

Subjects

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (6)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI