Insecticidal, Fumigant, and Repellent Activities of Sweet Wormwood Oil and Its Individual Components Against Red Imported Fire Ant Workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

In total, 29 compounds from sweet wormwood ( Artemisia annua L.) oil were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The five active components were d -camphor, linalool, cineole, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol. The effectiveness of A. annua oil, as well as d -camphor, linalool, cineole, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol, as fumigants, contact insecticides, and repellents, were tested on the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren. The results indicated that A. annua oil has no significant topical toxicity; however, the spray contact test revealed that it has strong insecticidal activity and the inhibitory effect is stronger during closed exposure than during open exposure. In the fumigant test, cineole and d -camphor exhibited strong fumigant toxicity on minor and major S. invicta workers. They also caused 100% mortality at 5, 3, 2, and 1 mg/centrifuge tube but not at 0.5 mg/centrifuge tube. The mortality rates of linalool, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol exceeded 80% at 5, 3, and 2 mg/centrifuge tube. In the repellent test, cineole and d -camphor showed significant repellency at 100, 10, and 1 mg/kg. However, linalool, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol significantly facilitated digging at 10 and 1 mg/kg.

Insecticidal Activities of Compounds from Sweet Flag (Acorus Calamus) against Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…Many plant-based products were reported as being effective against fire ants (Appel et al, 2004;Cheng et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2012;Tang et al, 2013;Li et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2016). The present study demonstrated that sweet flag powder is also an effective plant-based product that not only kills ants, but also repels them.…”

“…That similarity was also observed during this study. Huang et al (2016) and Zhang et al (2014) also found the similar effects on mortality of S. invicta by different bioactive compounds or essential oils during their study.…”

“…Holtt. (phenol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside) are reported as repellents and toxicants to fire ants Zhang et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2016).…”

Molar heat capacities of the mixture {1,8-cineole + ethanol} at several temperatures and atmospheric pressure

“…1,8-Cineole or eucalyptol, a monoterpenoid, is the main component of the volatile oils obtained from several plants and has many applications in the fields of flavour and fragrances, pharmacy. It also acts as insecticide and insect repellent [7,8].…”

Volatile Component Analysis of Michelia alba Leaves and Their Effect on Fumigation Activity and Worker Behavior of Solenopsis invicta

“…Zhang et al (2014) reported that linalool could absolutely kill minor workers at 5 mg/centrifuge tube within 24 h and 3 mg/centrifuge tube (48 h) after treatment. Few studies have reported on the insecticidal activity of caryophyllene.…”