Artigo de peri??dico
Evaluation of essential oils of Eucalyptus spp. for the control of the subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (WASMAN)
Toxicidade de ??leos essenciais de Eucalyptus spp. para o controle do cupim subterr??neo Coptotermes gestroi (WASMAN)
Registro en:
0100-6762
2
41
10.1590/1806-90882017000200017
6.818
Autor
MIKOLA, TALITA V.Z.
POTENZA, MARCOS R.
REIS, FABRICIO C.
SILVA, VANESSA C. da
SATO, MARIO E.
SAKITA, MASSAKO N.
Resumen
The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasman) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is considered
one of the main pest species in urban areas in the Southeast Region of Brazil. For the control of this pest,
the use of chemical insecticides is recommended, but this method is problematic in urban areas because of
the risks of intoxication in the population and environmental contamination along with difficulties in isolating
the treated areas. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative methods aimed at minimizing the undesirable
effects on the human population and the environment caused by termite control measures. The objective
of this research was to evaluate the toxicity of several essential oils of Eucalyptus (E. camaldulensis,
E. citriodora, E. tereticornis, E. pseudoglobulus, and E. maidenii) to the termite C. gestroi, under laboratory
conditions. The oils were applied on filter papers that were infested with C. gestroi immediately after the
treatment. The most toxic oil to the termite was E. citriodora, with the lowest lethal concentration (LC50:
0.63%) and the shortest lethal time (LT50: <1 h at 10%, LT50: 42.4 h at 1.25%). The least toxic oil was
E. pseudoglobulus, with the highest lethal concentration (LC50: 3.66%) and the longest lethal time (LT50:
11.1 h at 10%; LT50: 473 h at 1.25%). These results indicate the potential for use of eucalyptus essential
oils, especially for E. citriodora, for the control of C. gestroi. This article also provides information on
the yield from essential oil extraction for different eucalyptus species. Funda????o de Amparo ?? Pesquisa do Estado de S??o Paulo (FAPESP) FAPESP: 08/08526-3