Chemical composition, insecticidal and insect repellent activity of Schinus molle leaf essential oil against Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus granarius
Chemical composition, insecticidal and insect repellent activity of Schinus molle leaf essential oil against Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus granarius

Summary/Abstract: The present study determines the chemical profile of Schinus molle L. essential oil and its toxicity and repellent effect on Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus granarius adults. Ninety-seven compounds were identified and the most abundant were ß-eudesmol (5.872%), elemol (9.028%), α-phellandrene (12.104%) and ß-phellandrene (16.613%). The phytochemical analysis of Schinus molle showed the presence of quinones, flavonoids, leucoanthocyanin, steroids and saponins. The oil demonstrated an insecticidal activity against Tribolium confusum (LC50 = 170.30 μL/L), Rhyzopertha dominica (LC50 = 174.30 μL/L) and Sitophilus granarius (LC50 = 241.20 μL/L) at 12h after treatment. T. confusum is the most sensitive to the treatment followed by R. dominica and S. granarius. Contact is the most effective mode of application compared to fumigation. Moreover, this essential oil exhibited a repellent activity as a function of the exposure time and concentrations. A selection index (Si) of 0.26, 0.35 and 0.15 with 20 µL/mL concentration was registered, showing the highest repellent activity against T. confusum, R. dominica and S. granarius, respectively.

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