Larvicidal Activity of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) and Origanum majorana (Lamiaceae) Essential Oils against the Sand Fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Ahmed, Maha M.; Kassem, Hala A.; Faragallah, Amina M.; Fahmy, Adel R.; Georgi, Janette M.; El Sawaf, Bahira M.

doi:10.21608/eajbse.2018.24312

Larvicidal Activity of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) and Origanum majorana (Lamiaceae) Essential Oils against the Sand Fly Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Zoology, Women's College for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

² Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

³ Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/eajbse.2018.24312

Abstract

The essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus and Origanum majorana were evaluated for their larvicidal activity against third instar larvae of the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi. E. globulus oil showed lethal concentration, LC₅₀, of 677 mg/ml whereas the LC₅₀ value for O. majorana was 91 mg/ml. Larvae treated with both oils showed surface shrinkage, spinous cells proliferation, bleb formation, abdominal distortion of microtrichia and partial or complete closure of spiracles in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At 48 h post treatment, both oils induced severe structural changes in the gut cells, brush border and degeneration of the peritrophic matrix. Origanum majorana essential oil was more potent than E. globulus against third instar larvae of P. papatasi based on its lower LC₅₀ value. Taking all data into account, essential oils of E. glolbulus and O. majorana could be considered as a viable option for the development of eco-friendly house hold product against sand flies.

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