Nepetalactones from essential oil of Nepeta cataria represent a stable fly feeding and oviposition repellent

Abstract

Tangtrakulwanich, K.; Behle, R.; Baxendale, Frederick P.; and Brewer, Gary J., "Nepetalactones from essential oil of Nepeta cataria represent a stable fly feeding and oviposition repellent" (2012 Nepetalactones from essential oil of Nepeta cataria represent a stable fly feeding and oviposition repellent Abstract. The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), is one of the most serious pests to livestock. It feeds mainly on cattle and causes significant economic losses in the cattle industry. Standard stable fly control involving insecticides and sanitation is usually costly and often has limited effectiveness. As we continue to evaluate and develop safer fly control strategies, the present study reports on the effectiveness of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) oil and its constituent compounds, nepetalactones, as stable fly repellents. The essential oil of catnip reduced the feeding of stable flies by >96% in an in vitro bioassay system, compared with other sesquiterpene-rich plant oils (e.g. amyris and sandalwood). Catnip oil demonstrated strong repellency against stable flies relative to other chemicals for repelling biting insects, including isolongifolenone, 2-methylpiperidinyl-3-cyclohexen-1-carboxamide and (1S,2 S)-2-methylpiperidinyl-3-cyclohexen-1-carboxamide. The repellency against stable flies of the most commonly used mosquito repellent, DEET, was relatively low. In field trials, two formulations of catnip oil provided >95% protection and were effective for up to 6 h when tested on cattle. Catnip oil also acted as a strong oviposition repellent and reduced gravid stable fly oviposition by 98%.

The repellency of lemongrass oil against stable flies, tested using video tracking

“…Management of adult flies is accomplished mainly with topical insecticides, applied directly to animals. However, continued or repeated use of conventional insecticides often results in the development of resistance and fosters serious human health and environmental concerns [13, 42]. Populations of S. calcitrans resistant to pyrethroids and/or organophosphates have already been described in North America and in Europe [4, 21, 31, 34].…”

The use of essential oils in veterinary ectoparasite control: a review

“…After 4 h flies were squashed to ascertain whether or not they had taken a bloodmeal. Essential oil of catnip was found to be a highly effective feeding and oviposition deterrent at 6.7%; the component nepetalactones were also 100% effective as deterrents at this concentration (Zhu et al, 2012). In vivo, 250 mL of 15% and 30% catnip essential oil in TrintonX (3%) and water caused a significant decrease in the number of flies landing on cattle legs for up to 6 h (> 95% reduction).…”

“…However, the repellence of the 15% solution was fairly short-lived; no significant difference between this solution and the control were found at 8 h (Zhu et al, 2012). Interestingly, a mineral oil control also demonstrated a significant repellent effect in the field and in the feeding repellence assay (Zhu et al, 2012). This highlights the need to include non-essential (e.g.…”

“…In vivo, 250 mL of 15% and 30% catnip essential oil in TrintonX (3%) and water caused a significant decrease in the number of flies landing on cattle legs for up to 6 h (> 95% reduction). However, the repellence of the 15% solution was fairly short-lived; no significant difference between this solution and the control were found at 8 h (Zhu et al, 2012). Interestingly, a mineral oil control also demonstrated a significant repellent effect in the field and in the feeding repellence assay (Zhu et al, 2012).…”

“…Three essential oils and their major constituents were tested in vitro and in vivo against S. calcitrans (Zhu et al, 2012). In a repellency test, adult flies were starved for 48 h prior to being introduced into cages containing citrated bovine blood-soaked sanitary towels, the membranes of which had been impregnated with diluted essential oil.…”