Toxicity and neurophysiological impacts of three plant-derived essential oils against the vineyard mealybug Planococcus ficus

Authors

  • R. Brahmi University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Sousse, Tunisia
  • K. Abdellaoui University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Sousse, Tunisia
  • A. Harbi University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Sousse, Tunisia
  • K. Abbes University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Sousse, Tunisia
  • R. Rahmouni Technical Centre of Citrus (CTA), Zaouiet Djedidi, Beni Khalled, Nabeul, Tunisia
  • S. Tounsi Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
  • P. Suma Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Italy
  • B. Chermiti University of Sousse, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, Sousse, Tunisia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5073/vitis.2022.61.1-10

Keywords:

botanical insecticide, vine mealybug, toxicity, oxidative stress biomarkers, neurotoxicity

Abstract

Many natural products are able to control pests and can be used as alternatives for chemical treatments. Plant essential oils (EOs) have been found to exhibit some biological activity against many insects including mealybugs. This study aimed at studying the insecticidal activity and behavioral and neurophysiological impacts of three plant essential oils against the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus. The topical and fumigant toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha piperita, and Pelargonium graveolens essential oils was evaluated against P. ficus adults. The chemical composition analysis of EOs by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed citronellal (31.69 %), menthol (73.78 %), and geraniol (39.6%), as major components, respectively. Bioassays of EOs against vine mealybug adults through fumigation toxicity method revealed lethal concentrations LC50 values of 17.01, 26.27 and 24.52 µL·L-1 air for C. citratus, M. piperita, and P. graveolens, respectively. In both topical and fumigant bioassays, essential oil from C. citratus was the most active altering the behavioral response of treated mealybugs which becomes hyperactive and disoriented. EOs induced general stress in P. ficus adults, as evidenced by oxidative stress biomarker analyses. Biochemical analyses showed that the EOs exposure reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase and significantly induced the glutathione S-transferases and Malondialdehydes accumulation in the vine mealybug tissues. Mortality caused by lemongrass EO positively correlated with the significant decrease in the AChE activity indicating lethal neurological effects. These toxicity bioassays and neurological impact findings provide new informations for formulating effective essential oil based-insecticides to control P. ficus in the framework of integrated pest management programs.

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Published

2022-02-17

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 1 (2022): Vitis

Section

Article

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