title: Artemisia spp. essential oils against the disease-carrying blowfly Calliphora vomitoria.
abstract: Synanthropic flies play a considerable role in the transmission of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. In this work, the essential oil (EO) of two aromatic plants, Artemisia annua and Artemisia dracunculus, were evaluated for their abilities to control the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. Artemisia annua and A. dracunculus EOs were extracted, analysed and tested in laboratory bioassays. Besides, the physiology of EOs toxicity and the EOs antibacterial and antifungal properties were evaluated.
  
  
  
  Both Artemisia EOs deterred C. vomitoria oviposition on fresh beef meat. At 0.05 μl cm-2A. dracunculus EO completely inhibited C. vomitoria oviposition. Toxicity tests, by contact, showed LD50of 0.49 and 0.79 μl EO per fly for A. dracunculus and A. annua, respectively. By fumigation, LC50values were 49.55 and 88.09 μl l-1air for A. dracunculus and A. annua, respectively. EOs AChE inhibition in C. vomitoria (IC50= 202.6 and 472.4 mg l-1, respectively, for A. dracunculus and A. annua) indicated that insect neural sites are targeted by the EOs toxicity. Finally, the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the two Artemisia EOs may assist in the reduction of transmission of microbial infections/contaminations.
  
  
  
  Results suggest that Artemisia EOs could be of use in the control of C. vomitoria, a common vector of pathogenic microorganisms and agent of human and animal cutaneous myiasis. The prevention of pathogenic and parasitic infections is a priority for human and animal health. The Artemisia EOs could represent an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to synthetic repellents and insecticides to fight synanthropic disease-carrying blowflies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bedini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flamini
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cosci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ascrizzi
authors.affiliation: Universidad Tecnica del Norte, v 17 de Julio 5-21, Ibarra, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Echeverria
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy. barbara.conti@unipi.it.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001681:Biological Assay; D004175:Diptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D007306:Insecticides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007306:Insecticides; D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Bactericidal; Blowflies; Botanical insecticides; Fungicidal; Repellent