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Insecticidal and Insectistatic Activity Assessment of Lantana camara (L.) (Verbenaceae) Essential Oil and endo-Borneol Against Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Tenebrio molitor is a common stored grains pest. The conventional way for its management involves the use of synthetic fumigants. Despite their effectiveness, these can cause environmental damage. The use of essential oils has emerged as an alternative for its management. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess Lantana camara essential oil (EO) and endo-borneol biological activities against T. molitor. Insecticidal activity and weight gain were evaluated through the impregnated paper method against larvae and adults, while repellency was conducted with a Y-tube olfactometer; L. camara EO showed higher mortality for T. molitor adults (LC50 = 7.2 μL EO L−1 air) than for larvae (LC50 = 13.7 μL EO L−1 air) after 30 d. Furthermore, L. camara EO was found to be repellent for T. molitor adults (RC50 = 0.08 μL EO cm−2). Regarding the EO composition, endo-borneol was identified by GC-MS as a major compound with 14.24% abundance. Larvae exhibited higher susceptibility (LC50 = 7.8 μL L−1 air) to endo-borneol than adults (LC50 = 46 μL L−1 air) after 72 h. Notably, endo-borneol demonstrated significantly higher repellent activity (RC50 = 0.03 μL cm−2) than L. camara EO (RC50 = 0.08 μL EO cm−2). These findings suggest that endo-borneol has potential as a natural source alternative for T. molitor management.

Source: Crops

DOI: 10.3390/crops5060083