Toxicity to, oviposition and population growth impairments of Callosobruchus maculatus exposed to clove and cinnamon essential oils

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 16;13(11):e0207618. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207618. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The use of plant essential oils has been shown to efficiently control insect pests of stored beans, significantly reducing the threats associated with synthetic insecticides. Here, we evaluated the potential of applications of essential oils of clove, Syzygium aromaticum L., and cinnamon, Cinnamomum zeylanicum L., to control Callosobruchus maculatus, considered as one of the most cosmopolitan pests of stored beans. Using four combinations of couples (i.e., unexposed couples, exposed females, exposed males, and exposed couples), we also evaluated how sublethal exposure to these essential oils impacted C. maculatus oviposition. Bioassays results revealed that both essential oils exhibited insecticidal activities similar to the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin. Furthermore, oil dosage increments proportionately decreased the growth rate and reduced the losses in bean weight caused by cowpea weevils, and offspring emergence was almost abolished when parents were exposed to the LD20 of each essential oil. Finally, significant oviposition impairments were perceived only in couples where females were exposed (i.e., females exposed and exposed couples) to the LD20 of cinnamon and clove essential oils. Thus, by exhibiting similar insecticidal activities as synthetic insecticides and by significantly affecting the oviposition of sublethally exposed C. maculatus females, the cinnamon and clove essential oils represent valuable tools with potential of integration into the management of C. maculatus infestations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cinnamomum zeylanicum / chemistry*
  • Clove Oil / chemistry
  • Clove Oil / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry
  • Oils, Volatile / toxicity*
  • Oviposition / drug effects*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / toxicity
  • Population Growth
  • Weevils / anatomy & histology*
  • Weevils / drug effects
  • Weevils / growth & development

Substances

  • Clove Oil
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils

Grants and funding

Grants from the CAPES Foundation to KH, from the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) to LRDF and EEO and from the Secretaria Nacional de Educación Superior Ciencia y Tecnologia of Ecuador (SENESCYT-Ecuador) to LOVJ supported this work. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.