The aim of this work was to test the insecticidal effect of the essential oil of Illicium verum (Hook) by observing the survival, biochemical parameters (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity and the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and locomotor capacity of the Coleoptera Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), a pest of beef poultry. The sublethal concentrations (100% survival of A. diaperinus during 96 h of exposure) of I. verum essential oil selected for analysis were 0.5% and 1%. The selected sublethal concentrations did not show significant increases in ROS levels after 24 h of exposure to the essential oil. However, increases in GST activity were seen following exposure to 0.5% I. verum essential oil, while decreases in AChE activity were observed following exposure to concentrations of 0.5% and 1%. These results correlate with the observed behavior of A. diaperinus; when placed into an arena, these insects typically demonstrate aversion to stimuli and refuge-seeking behavior. Following exposure to 0.5% I. verum essential oil, the insects showed loss of refuge-seeking capacity and, following exposure to a concentration of 1%, loss of locomotor capacity. Overall, these results indicate that I. verum essential oil can be used as an alternative to conventional insecticides.
Keywords: AChE inhibition; Biochemical mechanisms; Bioinsecticide; Locomotor behavior; Vegetable essential oil.
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