In vitro: |
Pest Management ence, 2002, 58(5). | Insecticidal properties of essential plant oils against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae).[Reference: WebLink] | METHODS AND RESULTS:
The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts from leaves and flowers of aromatic plants against fourth‐instar larvae of the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus Forskal were determined. Extracts of Myrtus communis L were found to be the most toxic, followed by those of Origanum syriacum L, Mentha microcorphylla Koch, Pistacia lentiscus L and Lavandula stoechas L with LC50 values of 16, 36, 39, 70 and 89 mg litre−1, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Over 20 major components were identified in extracts from each plant species. Eight pure components (1,8‐cineole, menthone, linalool, terpineol, carvacrol, thymol, (1S)-(-)-Alpha-Pinene and (1R )‐(+)‐α‐pinene) were tested against the larvae. Thymol, carvacrol, (1R )‐(+)‐α‐pinene and (1S )‐(−)‐α‐pinene were the most toxic (LC50 = 36–49 mg litre−1), while menthone, 1,8‐cineole, linalool and terpineol (LC50 = 156–194 mg litre−1) were less toxic. |
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