The toxicity of some medicinal plant extracts to the potato tuber moth,Phthorimaea operculella(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella is a serious pest of potato both in the field and storage that makes great problem in storage. Farmers routinely rely on chemical insecticides that could be hazardous for human health and environment. Insecticide resistance of P. operculella has been reported all over the world, so botanical origin materials may serve as proper alternative materials for controlling the pest. Natural products are generally preferred because of they are less harmful to non-target organisms, eco-friendly and biodegradable. In the present study, ovicidal activity of essential oils (EOs) of basil, European pennyroyal, lavender, mint, oregano and savoury and oviposition-deterrent activity of methanolic extracts of fumitory, lavender, licorice and oregano were investigated on P. operculella. Probit analysis showed that EOs of Lavandula angustifolia revealed the highest activity (LC 50 value 0.4 μL/L air). Fumitory extract elicited the highest reduction in percentage of laying eggs. The results indicated that these medicinal plants could be effective for declining damage of P. operculella in storages.

Fumigant toxicities of essential oils and two monoterpenes against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculellaZeller)

“…The insecticidal activity varied with insect stage, concentration of the oil and exposure time. Our results are in agreement with those reported by Moawad and Ebadah [2], Sharaby et al [24], Rafiee-Dastjerdi et al [40]. That essential oils and terpenes protect potato tubers against potato tuber moth infestation during storage.…”

Fumigate efficacy of Juniperus foetidissima essential oil and two terpenes against Phthorimaea operculella

“…All adult insects were killed (100% mortality), when they were exposed to 3 μl/l air concentration for 48 h. The major compounds found in the essential oils of J. foetidissima have been reported previously to have a fungal growth inhibition [27], and an insecticidal activity Mortality percentages of potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) adults exposed to monoterpenoids (citronellol, nerol) vapors for different periods against T. granaruim larvae [17]. Our results are ± in agreement with results published by Tayoub et al [10], Rafiee-Dastjerdi et al [23], Sharaby et al [24], Moawad & Ebadah [30] who wrote that essential oils and their monoterpene components protect potato tubers against potato tuber moth infestation during storage.…”

“…Moawad [22] reported an ovicidal activity of essential oils extracted from margorum, cardamom, rosemary and terpintin to PTM. Rafiee-Dastjerdi et al [23] studied the insecticidal activity of the essential oil extracted from five different plant species, namely: basil, European pennyroyal, lavender, mint and savory on potato tuber moth. Sharaby et al [24] used the bulb powder of Allium cepa to dust potato tubers and found that it was highly effective in reducing of the number of eggs deposited as well as reducing adult emergence.…”

Insecticidal Effect of Three Different Plant Extracts on Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lep.: Gelechiidae))

“…Lal [25] found that the leaves of Lantana aculeate provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage than Eucalyptus globulus and Bacillus thurungiensis. It was observed that extracts of Piper nigrum and Matricaria chamomile showed high mortality, antifeeding and repellent effect on larva of PTM [7]. Similarly, Soliman [26] There are few literatures about extract of L.…”