Control of the myiasis-producing fly, Lucilia sericata, with Egyptian essential oils

• Published in: International journal of dermatology 2011-02, Vol.50 (2), p.187-194
• Main Authors: Khater, Hanem F., Hanafy, Abeer, Abdel-Mageed, Abla D., Ramadan, Mohamed Y., El-Madawy, Reham S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Calliphoridae; Chamomile - chemistry; Dermatology; Diptera; Essential oils; Female; Infection; Insect Control - methods; Insecticides; Lactuca - chemistry; Lactuca sativa; Larva; Lucilia sericata; Male; Matricaria chamomilla; Medical sciences; Mycobacterium; Myiasis; Myiasis - prevention & control; Myiasis - transmission; Oils, Volatile; Pimpinella - chemistry; Pimpinella anisum; Population decline; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Pupa; Pupation; Rosmarinus; Rosmarinus officinalis; Sex Ratio; Spreading
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04656.x

Background  Myiasis caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is widely distributed throughout the world and affects both humans and animals. In addition, L. sericata larvae and adults may play a role in spreading causal agents of mycobacterial infections. Therefore, it is important to establish new and safe alternative methods of controlling this blowfly. Methods  The insecticidal effectiveness of four commercially available essential oils [lettuce (Lactuca sativa), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), anise (Pimpinella anisum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)] against third larval instars of L. sericata was evaluated. The effects of sublethal concentrations of these oils on pupation rates, adult emergences, sex ratios, and morphological anomalies were also determined. Results  The oils were highly toxic to L. sericata larvae, with median lethal concentrations (LC50) of 0.57%, 0.85%, 2.74%, and 6.77% for lettuce, chamomile, anise, and rosemary oils, respectively. Pupation rates were markedly decreased after treatment with 8% lettuce oil, and adult emergence was suppressed by 2% lettuce and chamomile oils. Morphological abnormalities were recorded after treatment with all tested oils, and lettuce was the major cause of deformation. There was a predominance of males over females (4 : 1) after treatment with lower concentrations of chamomile and rosemary; such a skew toward males would lead to a population decline. Conclusions  The four tested oils are inexpensive and may represent new botanical insecticides for controlling blowflies.