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).
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.
Seo
Seon-Mi
SM
Division of Forest Insect Pests and Diseases, Korea Forest Research Institute, Seoul 130-712, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Junheon
J
Lee
Sang-Gil
SG
Shin
Chang-Hoon
CH
Shin
Sang-Chul
SC
Park
Il-Kwon
IK
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*
D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils