Autor(es): Lucia, A.; Gonzalez Audino, P.; Seccacini, E.; Licastro, S.; Zerba, E.; Masuh, H.

Resumo: In the search for new alternatives for the control of Aedes aegypti the larvicidal activity of Eucalyptus grandis essential oil and pine resin essential oil (turpentine) and their major components ( alpha - and beta -pinene and 1,8-cineole) was determined. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of E. grandis essential oil revealed that its major components are alpha -pinene and 1,8-cineole. Similar analysis of turpentine obtained by distillation of the resin pitch of conifers showed that alpha - and beta -pinene are the only major components. Third and early 4th instars of the CIPEIN-susceptible strain of Ae. aegypti were exposed to acetonic solutions of E. grandis essential oil, turpentine, and their major components for 24 h. Turpentine, with an LC sub(50) of 14.7 ppm, was more active than the essential oil of E. grandis (LC sub(50): 32.4 ppm). Larvicidal activity of the essential oil components showed that alpha - and beta -pinene present low LC sub(50) values (15.4 and 12.1 ppm, respectively), whereas pure 1,8-cineole showed an LC sub(50) of 57.2 ppm. These results suggest that alpha -pinene in E. grandis and alpha - and beta -pinene in turpentine serve as the principal larvicidal components of both oils. Results obtained on larvicidal effects of essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis and turpentine could be considered a contribution to the search for new biodegradable larvicides of natural origin.

Palavras-Chave: Instars; Pesticides; Larvae; Pollution effects; Pest control; Aquatic insects; Toxicity tests; Mortality causes; Public health; Conifers; Resins; Alpha -Pinene; Cineole; Turpentine; Essential oils; Spectroscopy; Larvicides; Aedes aegypti; Eucalyptus grandis

Imprenta: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, v. 23, n. 3, p. 299-303, 2007.

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Larvicide ; Aedes aegypti - Public health

Data de publicação: 2007