Oviposition deterring and antifeeding activities of certain essential oils of medicinal plants against Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)‎

Abstract EN

Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea var.

capitata L.) is one of the most important cruciferous in Egypt.

Cabbage white butterfly Pieris rapae L.

(Lepidoptera: Pieridae) consider a serious pest affecting cabbage production.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the repellent, antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects of eight essential oils on P.

rapae under laboratory conditions.

Data revealed that all tested oils affected on oviposition and feeding of P.

rapae and their effects were concentration dependent.

At 1000 μg/L, mint and fenugreek oils showed the highiest repellent rates with 73.89 and 77.83%, respectively, with insignificant differences between them.

Also, the highest antifeedant effect was recorded in garlic oil (87.21%) in bar with mint oil (86.93%) and fenugreek oil (79.13%).

At 1000 μg/L, mint oil reduced oviposition of P.

rapae females by 91.97% followed insignificantly by thyme oil (84.26%) and garlic oil (76.71%) in choice test.

In case of no choice test, the highest oviposition deterrence index was obtained in mint (69.36%), followed insignificantly by thyme (66.46%) and garlic (57.01%).

So, the application of garlic, mint and thyme oils can be combined with different biological and agricultural methods in an integrated pest management program could reduce the use of synthetic insecticides, especially in the early stage of cabbage.