title: Fumigant antitermitic activity of plant essential oils and components from Ajowan ( Trachyspermum ammi ), Allspice ( Pimenta dioica ), caraway ( Carum carvi ), dill ( Anethum graveolens ), Geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ), and Litsea ( Litsea cubeba ) oils against Japanese termite ( Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe).
abstract: Plant essential oils from 26 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with source, exposure time, and concentration. Among the essential oils tested, strong insecticidal activity was observed with the essential oils of ajowan ( Trachyspermum ammi ), allspice ( Pimenta dioica ), caraway ( Carum carvi ), dill ( Anethum graveolens ), geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ), and litsea ( Litsea cubeba ). The composition of six essential oils was identified by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds thus identified were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against Japanese termites. Responses varied in a dose-dependent manner for each compound. Phenol compounds exhibited the strongest insecticidal activity among the test compounds; furthermore, alcohol and aldehyde groups were more toxic than hydrocarbons. The essential oils and compounds described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite control.
authors.affiliation: Division of Forest Insect Pests and Diseases, Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul 130-712, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Junheon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Gil
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chang-Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Sang-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Il-Kwon
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005651:Fumigation; D007300:Insect Control; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020049:Isoptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils