Active Components of 16 Essential Oils and Their Fumigation Effects on (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Overview

Journal Insects

Specialty Biology

Date 2025 Jan 8

PMID 39769579

Authors

Xiao-Ling Su

Zhi-Chu Huang

Lin Chen

Dao-Yin Chen

Dong-Xu Zhao

Zhi-Jiang Zeng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The greater wax moth (GWM, ) is a prevalent pest of the honeybee and a significant risk to both honeybee populations and honeycomb storage. Research on the toxicity of essential oils (EOs) to GWM larvae has provided promising results, although their ovicidal effects and active ingredients require further study. Identifying effective plant compounds is essential for developing insecticides for GWM control. This study assessed the fumigation efficacy of 16 EOs on GWM eggs and fifth instar larvae and determined the effectiveness of these EOs and their primary components for fumigating fifth larvae. Wintergreen, star anise, and clove oils demonstrated significant insecticidal effects on GWM eggs and fifth instar larvae, resulting in a mortality rate exceeding 80% within 48 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified methyl salicylate (93.26%), -anethole (87.75%), and eugenol (77.75%) as the primary compounds in wintergreen, star anise, and clove oils, respectively. Further toxicity testing confirmed that these compounds were responsible for the observed insecticidal properties of the EOs. Notably, -anethole exhibited the lowest LC value (25.22 μL/L) against the fifth instar larvae of GWM and significant toxicity against GWM eggs and fifth instar larvae, suggesting its potential as a viable option for the future control of GWM populations.

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