Vapor phase toxicity of plant essential oils to Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The toxicities of 44 plant essential oils against larvae of Cadra cautella (Walker) were examined using direct contact and vapor phase toxicity bioassays and compared with the lethal activity of chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos, and fenthion, four widely used organophosphorus insecticides. Responses varied according to plant material used and exposure dose and time. In a filter paper contact toxicity bioassay, potent toxicity was produced from buchu leaf, niaouli, and rosemary oils at 2.4 mg/cm2 and armoise, cypress, galbanum, and mace oils at 4.7 mg/cm2. In vapor phase toxicity bioassays with larvae, cypress, galbanum, niaouli, and rosemary oils were much more effective in closed containers than in open containers, indicating that the lethal effects of these oils were largely because of action in the vapor phase. As judged by 24-h LC50 values, potent fumigant action was observed with niaouli oil (64.7 mg/liter air) and rosemary oil (64.6 mg liter/air). Cypress and galbanum oils exhibited weak fumigant activity. These essential oils were less active than dichlorvos (0.86 mg/liter air). Little or no fumigant action was observed with chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, and fenthion. Essential oils described herein, particularly niaouli and rosemary oils, merit further study as potential larvicides for the control of C. cautella.     

Fumigant Toxicity of Plant Essential Oils to Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The fumigant toxicity of 66 plant essential oils to Plutella xylostella (L.) larvae and Cotesia glomerata (L.) adults was examined using a vapor-phase toxicity bioassay and compared with that of dichlorvos. Responses varied according to oil and insect species used. Based on 24 h LD₅₀ values, pennyroyal oil [10.77 mg/filter paper (4.25 cm diameter)] was the most toxic fumigant, followed by rosemary and sage (Dalmatin) oils (15.15 mg/paper). Potent fumigant toxicity was also produced from armoise, buchu leaf, cedarleaf, coriander, eucalyptus, howood, lavender, myrtle, niaouli, peppermint, and rosewood oils (LD₅₀, 21.29–27.31 mg/paper). All essential oils were less effective than dichlorvos (LD₅₀, 0.52 mg/paper). Against adult C. glomerata, dichlorvos (LD₅₀, 0.03 mg/paper) was the most toxic fumigant, whereas the LD₅₀ values of the 14 essential oils ranged from 1.59 to 8.51 mg/paper. Based on selective toxicity ratio (STR, P. xylostella LD₅₀/C. glomerata LD₅₀), the 14 essential oils (STR, 2.5–14.5) are more selective than dichlorvos (STR, 17.3). The essential oils tested merit further study as potential fumigants for the control of P. xylostella in greenhouses because of their selective toxicity to adult C. glomerata and their much greater activity as a fumigant.     

新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂对四种赤眼蜂成蜂急性毒性和安全性评价

为了明确新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂对天敌赤眼蜂Trichogramma spp.的影响, 在室内采用药膜法测定了其对稻螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead、 亚洲玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen、 拟澳洲赤眼蜂Trichogramma confusum Viggiani和广赤眼蜂Trichogramma evanescens Westwood成蜂的急性毒性, 并进行了安全性评价。急性毒性测定结果表明： 在测定的新烟碱类药剂中, 噻虫嗪对拟澳洲赤眼蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂表现出最高的急性毒性, 其LC₅₀分别为0.24 (0.21~0.27) 和0.40 (0.37~0.44) mg a.i./L; 其次为烯啶虫胺, 该药剂对上述两种赤眼蜂的LC₅₀分别为0.83 (0.74~0.96) 和0.72 (0.65~0.80) mg a.i./L; 而吡虫啉对亚洲玉米螟赤眼蜂和拟澳洲赤眼蜂的毒性最低, 其LC₅₀分别为502.13 (459.80~549.62)和752.62 (687.51~828.63) mg a.i./L。在测定的大环内酯类药剂中, 阿维菌素对稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性最高, 其LC₅₀为0.49 (0.46~0.65) mg a.i./L, 而甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对拟澳洲赤眼蜂表现出最低的急性毒性, 其LC₅₀为21.76 (19.59~24.40) mg a.i./L。安全性评价结果表明, 吡虫啉、 啶虫脒、 氯噻啉和甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对4种赤眼蜂为低风险~中等风险性, 安全性系数为0.57~23.54; 噻虫啉和依维菌素对4种赤眼蜂却为中等风险~高风险性, 安全性系数为0.16~3.45; 而烯啶虫胺、 噻虫嗪和阿维菌素对4种赤眼蜂为高风险~极高风险性, 安全性系数为0.01~0.15。本研究测定的大部分杀虫剂对赤眼蜂都有一定的急性毒性风险。因此, 在害虫综合治理中应谨慎使用新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂尤其是烯啶虫胺、 噻虫嗪和阿维菌素, 以免造成对赤眼蜂的大量杀伤。     

Fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils against Camptomyia corticalis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The toxicity of 98 plant essential oils against third instars of cecidomyiid gall midge Camptomyia corticalis (Loew) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was examined using a vapor-phase mortality bioassay. Results were compared with that of a conventional insecticide dichlorvos. Based on 24-h LC50 values, all essential oils were less toxic than dichlorvos (LC50, 0.027 mg/cm3). The LC50 of caraway (Carum carvi L.) seed, armoise (Artemisia vulgaris L.), clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf], niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora Gaertner), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), cassia especial (Cinnamomum cassia Nees ex Blume), Dalmatian sage (Salvia offcinalis L.), red thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), bay [Pimenta racemosa (P. Mill.) J.W. Moore], garlic (Allium sativum L.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) oils is between 0.55 and 0.60 mg/cm3. The LC50 of cassia (C. cassia, pure and redistilled), white thyme (T. vulgaris), star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.), peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) bark, sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), Roman chamomile [Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.], eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.),Virginian cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana L.), pimento berry [Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.], summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) oils is between 0.61 and 0.99 mg/cm3. All other essential oils tested exhibited low toxicity to the cecidomyiid larvae (LC50, >0.99 mg/cm3). Global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic insecticides in the agricultural environment justify further studies on the active essential oils as potential larvicides for the control of C. corticalis populations as fumigants with contact action.     

Laboratory studies to elucidate the residual toxicity of eight insecticides to Anystis baccarum (Acari: Anystidae)

Anystis baccarum (L.) [=Anystis agilis (Banks)] (Acari: Anystidae) is a common predatory mite recently identified in apple (Malus spp.) orchards and in vineyards (Vitus spp.) in Québec, Canada. Studies of its susceptibility to pesticides used in these crops need to be carried out to encourage integrated pest management programs. A laboratory evaluation of methoxyfenozide, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, spinosad, phosmet, carbaryl, and lambda-cyhalothrin showed that residues of lambda-cyhalothrin, phosmet, and carbaryl were highly toxic in 48-h petri dish bioassays. The field rate of lambda-cyhalothrin is 0.0184 g (AI) /liter, which is 26-fold the estimated LC50 of 0.0007 g (AI) /liter) for this predator. The field rate for phosmet is 0.6000 g (AI) /liter, which is 118-fold the LC50 for phosmet, which is 0.0051 g (AI) /liter), and the field rate for carbaryl is 1.960 g (AI) /liter, which is 784-fold the estimated LC50 of 0.0025 g (AI) /liter). Five other insecticides, methoxyfenozide, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and spinosad, were evaluated and found to be nontoxic.     

六种新烟碱类杀虫剂和三氟苯嘧啶对黄胸蓟马及南方小花蝽的选择毒性

【目的】评估6种新烟碱类杀虫剂和1种新型杀虫剂三氟苯嘧啶对黄胸蓟马Thrips hawaiiensis及其天敌南方小花蝽Orius strigicollis的选择毒性,为杀虫剂与南方小花蝽联合防控黄胸蓟马提供依据。【方法】采用药膜法测定吡虫啉、呋虫胺、氟吡呋喃酮、氯噻啉、烯啶虫胺和噻虫嗪6种新烟碱类杀虫剂及三氟苯嘧啶对黄胸蓟马成虫的毒力及对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的急性毒性,并评估其对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的暴露风险。【结果】供试的7种杀虫剂对黄胸蓟马成虫的半致死用量(median lethal rate, LR₅₀)均低于田间最大推荐用量。氯噻啉对黄胸蓟马成虫的LR₅₀值最低(0.183 g a.i/hm²),显著低于其他杀虫剂;氟吡呋喃酮和三氟苯嘧啶对黄胸蓟马成虫的LR₅₀值分别为3.066和3.949 g a.i/hm²,显著高于其他杀虫剂;两种烯啶虫胺制剂(20%烯啶虫胺可溶液剂和10%烯啶虫胺水剂)对黄胸蓟马成虫的LR₅₀分别为0.327和0.201 g a.i/hm²;两种噻虫嗪制剂(70%噻虫嗪水分散粒剂和25%噻虫嗪水分散粒剂)对黄胸蓟马成虫的LR₅₀值分别为0.970和0.685 g a.i/hm²;不同剂型和含量的烯啶虫胺和噻虫嗪对黄胸蓟马成虫的毒力差异显著。测试的6种新烟碱类杀虫剂对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的LR₅₀值均低于田间最大推荐用量,而三氟苯嘧啶对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的LR₅₀值高于田间最大推荐用量。三氟苯嘧啶对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的毒性最低(LR₅₀>65.736 g a.i/hm²),吡虫啉和呋虫胺次之(LR₅₀值分别为21.317和24.486 g a.i/hm²)。吡虫啉、呋虫胺、三氟苯嘧啶对黄胸蓟马成虫和南方小花蝽5龄若虫具有较高的选择毒性。三氟苯嘧啶和吡虫啉对农田内、农田外南方小花蝽的风险均可接受,氯噻啉和噻虫嗪均不可接受。【结论】黄胸蓟马成虫对6种新烟碱类杀虫剂和三氟苯嘧啶均具极高的敏感性,其中以吡虫啉和三氟苯嘧啶对南方小花蝽5龄若虫的风险较低;三氟苯嘧啶与南方小花蝽兼容性较高,二者在黄胸蓟马的联合防控中具备良好的潜力。     

Toxicity, feeding deterrence, and effect of activity of 1,8-cineole from Artemisia annua on progeny production of Tribolium castanaeum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

1,8-Cineole isolated from Artemisia annua was tested against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) for contact toxicity, fumigant toxicity, and antifeedant activity. The adults of T. castaneum were more susceptible than larvae to both contact and fumigant toxicity of 1,8-cineole, and LD50 and LC50 values of 108.4 microg/mg body weight of adult insect and 1.52 mg/liter air were found, respectively. Furthermore, 14-d-old T. castaneum larvae were more tolerant than 16- and 18-d-old larvae and adults to the contact toxicity of 1,8-cineole, but the 16- and 18-d-old larvae have similar susceptibility. In contrast, all the larvae (14-18 d old) of T. castaneum were much more tolerant than the adults to the fumigant action, but larvae of different ages had similar susceptibility. The compound 1,8-ciineole applied to filter paper at a concentration of 3.22-16.10 mg/cm2 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the hatching of T. castaneum eggs and the subsequent survival rate of the larvae. Adult emergence was also reduced by 1,8-cineole. Feeding deterrence of 81.9% was achieved in T. castateum adults by using a concentration of 121.9 mg/g food, whereas larvae showed 68.8% at the same concentration.     

Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from Schizonepeta tenuifolia against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae)

Plant essential oils from 21 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingenua Dufour (Diptera: Sciaridae) by using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Acorus gramineus Solander, Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet, and Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle at 25 microg/ml air. S. tenuifolia oil showed the most potent insecticidal activity among the plant essential oils. At 12.5 microg/ml air concentration, S. tenuifolia oil caused 96.6% mortality, but mortality decreased to 60% at 3.125 microg/ml air. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to identification of three major compounds from S. tenuifolia oil. These three compounds were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against larvae of L. ingenua and compared with the toxicity of dichlorvos. Pulegone was the most toxic, followed by menthone and limonene with LC50 values of 1.21, 6.03, and 15.42 microg/ml, respectively. LC50 of dichlorvos was 8.13 microg/ml. Effects of S. tenuifolia and its components on growth of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer also were investigated.     

Toxicity of spinosad in protein bait to three economically important tephritid fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The feeding toxicity of the natural insecticide spinosad in Provesta protein bait was evaluated for three economically important fruit fly species, the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann); the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett; and the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel. Both females and males were evaluated. Spinosad was remarkably similar in toxicity to all three fruit fly species. Male C. capitata (24 h LC50 values and 95% fiducial limits = 2.8 [2.60-3.0] mg/liter spinosad) were significantly, although only slightly more susceptible to spinosadthan females (4.2 [3.8-4.6] mg/liter). Male (5.5 [4.7-6.6] mg/liter) andfemale (4.3 [3.7-4.9] mg/liter) B. cucurbitae were equally susceptible to spinosad. Female (3.3 [3.1-3.6] mg/liter) and male (3.1 [2.9-3.3] mg/liter) B. dorsalis also were equally susceptible to spinosad. Provesta bait containing spinosad also was evaluated against two parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Pysttalia fletcheri (Silvestri). These parasitoids did not feed on the bait, so a contact toxicity test was conducted. Significant amounts of mortality were found only after exposure of parasitoids to spinosad-coated glass vials with concentrations > or =500 mg/liter spinosad. Parasitoids were less susceptible than fruit flies to such a degree that use of spinosad in bait spray should be compatible with these parasitoid species. Because the fruit flies tested in this study were so susceptible to spinosad, this product seems to be promising as a bait spray additive and a replacement for malathion for control of these species.     

双酰胺类杀虫剂对棉铃虫和松毛虫赤眼蜂的选择毒力

为了指导棉铃虫防控中化学杀虫剂和天敌昆虫协调使用,本文采用浸叶法和玻管药膜法测定了4种双酰胺类杀虫剂对棉铃虫3龄幼虫和松毛虫赤眼蜂成蜂的毒力.结果表明,供试双酰胺类杀虫剂中氯虫苯甲酰胺、氟苯虫酰胺和氟氰虫酰胺对棉铃虫幼虫表现出了较高的毒力水平(LC50分别为0.2882、0.3894、0.8609 mg/L),稍低于对照药剂甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐(简称:甲维盐)(LC50为0.06493 mg/L);而溴氰虫酰胺对棉铃虫的毒力(LC50为3.7638 mg/L)明显低于甲维盐.从对天敌昆虫安全性来看,氯虫苯甲酰胺、氟苯虫酰胺和氟氰虫酰胺对松毛虫赤眼蜂的毒性(LC50分别为1.0060、0.9933、1.1541 mg/L)明显低于甲维盐(其LC50为0.1646 mg/L),表现出了较高的安全性;但是,溴氰虫酰胺对松毛虫赤眼蜂毒性较高(LC50为0.4952 mg/L),安全性较差.本研究将为棉铃虫防控中药剂与天敌协调使用提供依据.     

Bioactivities of the leaf essential oil of Curcuma longa (var. ch-66) on three species of stored-product beetles (Coleoptera)

Essential oil extracted from the leaves of turmeric, Curcuma longa L., was investigated for contact and fumigant toxicity and its effect on progeny production in three stored-product beetles, Rhyzopertha dominica F. (lesser grain borer), Sitophilus oryzae L. (rice weevil), and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (red flour beetle). Oviposition-deterrent and ovicidal actions of C. longa leaf oil were also evaluated against T. castaneum. The oil was insecticidal in both contact and fumigant toxicity assays. The adults of R. dominica were highly susceptible to contact action of C. longa leaf oil, with LD50 value of 36.71 microg/mg weight of insect, whereas in the fumigant assay, adults of S. oryzae were highly susceptible with LC50 value of 11.36 mg/liter air. Further, in T. castaneum, the C. longa oil reduced oviposition and egg hatching by 72 and 80%, respectively at the concentration of 5.2 mg/cm2. At the concentration of 40.5 mg/g food, the oil totally suppressed progeny production of all the three test insects. Nutritional indices indicate >81% antifeedant action of the oil against R. dominica, S. oryzae and T castaneum at the highest concentration tested.     

Susceptibility of the adult eye gnat Liohippelates collusor (Diptera: Chloropidae) to neonicotinoids and spinosad insecticides.

Imidacloprid, thiamethoxam (first and second generation neonicotinoid insecticides), and spinosad (a naturally derived biorational insecticide) were evaluated in the laboratory against adult eye gnats, Liohippelates collusor (Townsend), using two modes of exposure. Ingestion experiments revealed that toxicity was the highest for thiamethoxam (Platinum soluble concentrate) followed by technical thiamethoxam, imidacloprid (Admire 2 flowable concentrate), and spinosad (Success* soluble concentrate). When incorporated into 5% sucrose solutions, eye gnat mortality was significantly increased compared to the same concentrations of aqueous insecticide solutions. Contact toxicity experiments revealed that thiamethoxam formulation (Platinum) was the most toxic, followed by technical thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and spinosad. Increasing the duration of exposure time from 15 min to 30 min significantly increased adult eye gnat mortality, but no further mortality occurred by extending exposure from 30 min to 60 min. Our results suggest that Platinum has good ingestion and contact activity against adult eye gnats. Admire and Success have appreciable ingestion toxicity but low contact activity against adult eye gnats.     

5%甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐微乳剂对6种环境生物的急性毒性

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐是一种新型的抗生素类杀虫剂、杀螨剂,其大量使用可能会导致一系列的生态风险,因此有必要开展其对相关环境生物毒性的研究。测定了甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对意大利蜜蜂、日本鹌鹑、斑马鱼、家蚕、大型溞和赤子爱胜蚓6种非靶标生物的急性毒性。5％甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐微乳剂对蜜蜂的急性经口LC50（48 h）为0．555 a．i．mg· L-1,对鹌鹑的经口LD50（7 d）为148．369 a．i．mg· kg-1,对斑马鱼的LC50（96 h）为0．368 a．i．mg· L-1,对家蚕的急性摄入毒性LC50（96 h）为0．005 a．i．mg· L-1,对大型溞的运动抑制毒性EC50（48 h）为0．020 a．i． mg· L-1,对蚯蚓的急性毒性LC50（14 d）为18．397 a．i．mg· kg-1。该农药对家蚕和大型溞均为剧毒,对蜜蜂和斑马鱼均为高毒,对鹌鹑中毒,对蚯蚓低毒。总体而言,甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐微乳剂对环境生物危害大,在使用过程中要注意。     

Toxicity,persistence, and efficacy of indoxacarb on cabbage looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cabbage

Toxicity of indoxacarb was bioassayed against eggs and young (first and second instars) and older larvae (third and fourth instars) of cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), on cabbage (Brassicae oleracea variety capitata L.), and persistence of field-aged leaf residues of indoxacarb was bioassayed with second and third instars of T. ni on cabbage. Efficacies of indoxacarb and several other newer insecticides to T. ni were tested under field conditions for two seasons in south Texas. LC50 and LC90 values for T. ni eggs were relatively high, indicating that indoxacarb has little ovicidal effects on T. ni eggs. Indoxacarb was highly toxic to T. ni larvae, having low LC50 and LC90 values. Bioassays of field-aged leaf residues of indoxacarb tested in the spring of 1998 (0-, 3-, 5-, and 12-d-old residues) and the fall of 2000 (0-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 9-, and 13-d-old residues) indicated that ingesting indoxacarb was highly toxic to the second and third instars of T. ni, giving 100% mortality for the second instars at 2 d after exposure, and 100% mortality for third instars at 5 d after exposure. Two trials conducted under field conditions show that indoxacarb at 0.072 g (AI) /ha rate was effective against T. ni in cabbage, providing marketable cabbage with three applications per season. In addition, indoxacarb was as effective as spinosad and chlorfenapyr and significantly more effective than tebufenozide and emamectin benzoate.     

Toxicity,persistence, and efficacy of spinosad,chlorfenapyr, and thiamethoxam on eggplant when applied against the eggplant flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A laboratory bioassay was developed for determining the toxicity of spinosad, chlorfenapyr, and thiamethoxam against the eggplant flea beetle, Epitrix fuscula Crotch, on eggplant foliage. Four days after initial exposure, LC50 values were 1.99, 2.50, and 0.88 ppm for spinosad, chlorfenapyr, and thiamethoxam, respectively. By dividing the recommended field rate in ppm by the LC50 value, a field toxicity ratio was determined and ranged from 13.5 for spinosad to 73.9 for thiamethoxam. The high ratios suggest that field rates for all three insecticides could likely be reduced. This was supported by field studies in 2000 in which reduced rates of spinosad and thiamethoxam significantly reduced flea beetle numbers on eggplant. Mortality produced by thiamethoxam occurred more quickly than that for the other tested materials as shown with LT50 values of 1.8, 3.0, and 3.6 and days for thiamethoxam, chlorfenapyr, and spinosad, respectively. Persistence studies indicated that while all three of the tested compounds initially produced high levels of mortality, chlorfenapyr and thiamethoxam produced 50% or greater mortality after 6 d. Our data suggest that future management strategies for E. fuscula on eggplant can be successfully altered to meet the changing needs of the producer. Spinosad was recently registered, is effective against the E. fuscula, and offers a viable alternative to carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides. Thiamethoxam and chlorfenapyr offer high levels of toxicity to E. fuscula and upon registration will offer additional effective tools for management.     

Adverse Effect of Essential Oil Fumigation on Proisotoma minuta (Collembola: Entomobryoidae)

Eighteen essential oils were tested for their fumigant toxicity towards Proisotoma minuta (Tullberg). The essential oils of citronella (LD₅₀=0.65 μL/L air), petitgrain (LD₅₀=2.3 μL/L air), and thyme (LD₅₀=2.8 μI/L air) produced potent activity towards the species.     

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from eleven Eucalyptus spp. and two hybrids: lethal and sublethal effects of their major components on Blattella germanica

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the fumigant activity of the essential oils from 11 species of the genus Eucalyptus and two of their hybrids on first instar of Blattella germanica L. The fumigant activity and repellence of the four major monoterpene components of these essential oils also were tested. Fumigant activity was evaluated by exposing nymphs to the vapors emitted by 50 microl of essential oil or monoterpene in a closed container. The lowest knockdown time 50% (KT50) values, expressed in minutes, were elicited by the essential oils of the Eucalyptus grandis X Eucalyptus tereticornis (57.9) hybrid, Eucalyptus sideroxylon A. Cunn (62.0), E. grandis X Eucalyptus camaldulensis (63.8) hybrid, Eucalyptus viminalis Labill (64.1), Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden (64.5), and Eucalyptus grandis (Hill) ex Maiden (68.7). The KT50 values for the remaining essential oils ranged between 74.5 (E. saligna Smith) and 161.4 min (E. tereticornis Smith). The essential oil from the hybrid E. grandis X E. tereticornis was 3.7 times less toxic than dichlorvos (positive control). The KT50 values of monoterpenes were 38.8 for alpha-pinene, 55.3 for 1,8-cineole, 175.6 for p-cymene, and 178.3 for gamma-terpinene. Alpha-pinene was 2.5 times less toxic than dichlorvos. There was a strong positive correlation between the fumigant activity of essential oils and their corresponding 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene concentration. Repellency was quantified using a video tracking system. Two concentrations of monoterpenes were studied (7 and 70 microg/cm2). All compounds produced a light repellent effect but only when applied at 70 microg/cm2. In all cases, the repellent effect was less than that produced by the broad-spectrum insect repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (positive control).     

Fumigant toxicity of Apiaceae essential oils and their constituents against Sitophilus oryzae and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

We evaluated the insecticidal and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activities of the essential oils and their constituents of 10 Apiaceae on the adult rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. Of the 10 species tested, dill (Anethum graveolens), caraway (Carum carvi), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oils showed strong fumigant toxicity against adult S. oryzae. LC₅₀ values of caraway, dill, and cumin essential oils were 2.45, 3.29, and 4.75 mg/L air, respectively. Among the test compounds, (+)-carvone, (?)-carvone, cuminaldehyde, dihydrocarvone, linalool oxide, carveol, trans-anethole, and neral demonstrated strong fumigant toxicity against adult S. oryzae with LC₅₀ values of 0.61, 0.84, 1.12, 2.92, 3.76, 4.29, 5.02, and 6.60 mg/L air, respectively. α-Pinene showed the strongest AChE inhibition activity followed by β-pinene and limonene. The measured toxicity of the artificial blends of the constituents identified in dill and cumin oils indicated that (+)-carvone and cuminaldehyde were major contributors to the fumigant toxicity of the artificial blend.     

Toxicity of plant essential oils to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Fifty-three plant essential oils were tested for their toxicity against eggs and adults of Tetranychus urticae Koch as well as adults of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, by using a filter paper diffusion bioassay without allowing direct contact. Responses varied according to oil type and dose, and mite species. In a plastic container (4.5 by 9.5 cm) bioassay at 14 x 10(-3) microl/ml air, caraway seed, citronella java, lemon eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and peppermint oils gave > 90% mortality against adult T. urticae, whereas 82 and 81% mortality was observed with sage and spearmint oils, respectively. With the exception of sage oil, the other six essential oils were highly effective against T. urticae eggs at 9.3 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. Against adult P. persimilis, these six test oils caused > 90% mortality at 7.1 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. Particularly peppermint oil at 4.7 x 10(-3) microl/ml air was highly toxic. In an acrylic cage (30 by 30 by 40 cm ) test, lemon eucalyptus, pennyroyal, peppermint, and spearmint oils were highly effective against adult T. urticae at 1.4 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. These results indicate that the mode of delivery of these essential oils was largely a result of action in the vapor phase via the respiratory system. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for T. urticae control.     

防治新入侵害虫蜂巢小甲虫杀虫剂的室内筛选

蜂巢小甲虫Aethina tumida是一种新入侵为害蜜蜂蜂巢的危险性害虫,筛选出具有较高毒力水平的化学药剂防治该虫迫在眉睫。本文采用浸渍法测定了10种杀虫剂对蜂巢小甲虫幼虫的毒力。试验结果表明,10 mg/L高效氯氰菊酯、啶虫脒和功夫菊酯在24 h内对蜂巢小甲虫幼虫的致死率达到36.67%、33.33%和29.39%,而10 mg/L高效氯氰菊酯和功夫菊酯在48 h对蜂巢小甲虫幼虫的致死率均达到100%。啶虫脒、高效氯氰菊酯和功夫菊酯在24 h的LC_(50)分别为10.47 mg/L、16.94 mg/L和19.1 mg/L。其它受试的杀虫剂如多杀菌素、氟虫腈、氟啶脲、虫酰肼、敌百虫、阿维菌素和甲维盐的触杀致死率相对较低。筛选结果显示,啶虫脒、高效氯氰菊酯和功夫菊酯可作为目前防治蜂巢小甲虫的的重要参考防治药剂。