Journal of Pest Science (2016) 89, 183-193

Jun-Hyung Tak, Eduardo Jovel and Murray B. Isman (2016)
Contact, fumigant, and cytotoxic activities of thyme and lemongrass essential oils against larvae and an ovarian cell line of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni
Journal of Pest Science 89 (1), 183-193
Abstract: The chemical composition of a plant essential oil can be affected by many environmental and biological factors. Understanding the role of individual constituents as well as their interactions to the overall insecticidal bioactivity is prerequisite to the use of essential oils as an alternative to conventional insecticides. In the present study, the chemical compositions of plant essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris (thyme) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of individual constituents were evaluated against third instar larvae and an ovarian cell line of Trichoplusia ni. Thymol was the most abundant compound in thyme oil and the primary active constituent in contact and cytotoxicity tests, whereas p-cymene was the most effective compound for fumigant toxicity. In lemongrass oil, citral was identified as the major active and most abundant constituent. A weak correlation between insecticidal activity and cytotoxicity was observed, indicating limitation of the latter as a screening tool for novel insecticides. Although the evaporation of thymol was enhanced at higher temperatures, its contribution to fumigant activity was limited.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Murray B. Isman

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Trichoplusia ni