Topical toxicity and repellency profiles of 17 essential oil components against insecticide-resistant and susceptible strains of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Authors: TIAN, YUEXUN - Auburn University; Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry; Norris, Edmund; HU, XING PING - Auburn University

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2024
Publication Date: 5/24/2024
Citation: Tian, Y., Hogsette, Jr, J.A., Norris, E.J., Hu, X. 2024. Topical toxicity and repellency profiles of 17 essential oil components against insecticide-resistant and susceptible strains of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae). Insects. 15(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060384.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060384

Interpretive Summary: The topical toxicity and repellency profiles of 17 essential oil components (EOCs) were evaluated against a resistant strain of house flies, Musca domestica L., using topical application and Y-tube olfactometers, respectively. Five of the most toxic treatments were further investigated against a susceptible strain of house flies. Thymol, (+)-pulegone, eugenol, carvacrol and citronellic acid were always among the top five most toxic chemicals tested against resistant house fly strain, as indicated by LD50 and LD95 values at 24- and 48-h posttreatment. The LD50 values of (+)-pulegone, eugenol, and citronellic acid at 48 h posttreatment against the susceptible house fly strain were significantly lower than LD50 values 48 h posttreatment against resistant house flies. However, the LD95 value of (+)-pulegone at 48 h posttreatment was significantly higher against the susceptible house fly strain than against the resistant house fly strain. P-Cymene, citronellic acid, R-(+)-limonene, linalool, '-terpinene, estragole, and eugenol were repellent to adult house flies at certain concentrations while (-)-carvone and thymol were attractive to adult house flies. This screening of a wide variety of individual EOCs provides a stronger foundation of information for further research. This should encourage further investigation into the topical toxicity and repellency in field studies, which will provide more insight into the performance of biopesticides for house fly management and potential commercialization.

Technical Abstract: The topical toxicity and repellency profiles of 17 essential oil components (EOCs) were evaluated against a resistant strain of house flies, Musca domestica L., using topical application and Y-tube olfactometers, respectively. Five of the most toxic treatments were further investigated against a susceptible strain of house flies. Thymol, (+)-pulegone, eugenol, carvacrol and citronellic acid were always among the top five most toxic chemicals tested against resistant house fly strain, as indicated by LD50 and LD95 values at 24- and 48-h posttreatment intervals. The LD50 values of (+)-pulegone, eugenol, and citronellic acid at 48 h posttreatment against the susceptible house fly strain were significantly lower than LD50 values 48 h posttreatment against resistant house flies. However, the LD95 value of (+)-pulegone at 48 h posttreatment was significantly higher against the susceptible house fly strain than against the resistant house fly strain. P-Cymene, citronellic acid, R-(+)-limonene, linalool, '-terpinene, estragole, and eugenol were repellent to adult house flies at certain concentrations while (-)-carvone and thymol were attractive to adult house flies. This screening of a wide variety of individual EOCs provides a stronger foundation of information for further research. This should encourage further investigation into the topical toxicity and repellency in field studies, which will provide more insight into the performance of biopesticides for house fly management and potential commercialization.