Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity of Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Essential Oil against Two Stored-Product Pests

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, P.O. Box 9861335856, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

Essential oil extracted from the leaves of Myrtle, Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae)was tested in vitro for volatile toxicity against two stored-product insects (Tribolium confusum and Callosobruchus maculatus). The chemical composition of the plant oil was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major oil components were α-pinene (10.4%), α- Terpineol (10.1%), linalool (9.0%), 1, 8-cineole (7.6%), Geranyl butyrate (6.3%), Geraniol (6.2%), Caryophyllene oxide (5.3%) and Neryl acetate (5.0%). In the fumigant toxicity test, significant differences in mortality of insects to essential oil vapor were observed in different concentrations after an exposure time of 24 hours. C. maculatus (LC50=9.5 µl/l air) was more susceptible to the plant oil than T. confusum (LC50=260.7 µl/l air). The results suggested that essential oil of M. communis L. could be used as a potential biocontrol agent for stored-product insects.

Keywords


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