Insecticidal activities of Thymus vulgaris essential oil and its components (thymol and carvacrol) against larvae of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Szczepanik, M.; Zawitowska, B.; Szumny, A.

Insecticidal activities of Thymus vulgaris essential oil and its components (thymol and carvacrol) against larvae of lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

2012

Szczepanik, M. | Zawitowska, B. | Szumny, A.

The insecticidal activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil, thymol and carvacrol was evaluated in laboratory against different larval stages of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). The earlier and later larval stages were reared on diets containing 1 or 2% acetone solutions of tested compounds. Insecticidal activity of thyme essential oil and pure monoterpenes against A. diaperinus larvae depended on the dose and age of larvae. The growth of younger larvae was significantly affected, while those of older larval stage was less influenced and only by pure oil components. In young larvae the application 1% thyme oil, thymol and carvacrol, caused mortality of 50.0, 86.67 and 85%, respectively. However, the mortality was less in old larvae (17.5, 27.5 and 27.5%, respectively). At the highest dose (2%) thyme oil, thymol and carvacrol killed 62.5, 91.67 and 97.5% of young larvae, respectively. These results showed that thymol and carvacrol were more active against A. diaperinus larvae than thyme oil, thus these two pure components (thymol and carvacrol) can effective control this pest.

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