Pest Management Science (2002) 58, 491-495

Abdallah F. Traboulsi, K. Taoubi, Samih El-Haj, J.M. Bessiere and Salma Rammal (2002)
Insecticidal properties of essential plant oils against the mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Pest Management Science 58 (5), 491-495
Abstract: 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. 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)-(+)-alpha-pinene) were tested against the larvae. Thymol, carvacrol, (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene and (1S)-(-)-alpha-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.
(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): Abdallah F. Traboulsi

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.
	Culex molestus