Insecticide activity of Mediterranean essential oils

Vapours of essential oils, extracted from 12 Mediterranean plants of the families Lamiaceae, Verbenaceae and Apiaceae, were assayed for insecticide activity against the aphid pests Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Different doses were applied, starting from 2 mu l/l air and halving the dose until no activity was registered. Anise, fennel and basil essential oils resulted in high mortality, even applied at low doses. Activity was dose-dependent. The occurrence of phytotoxicity following the application of some essential oil is discussed. In spite of the well-known drawbacks owing to phytotoxicity, the application of essential oils in the control of pests on plants appears feasible.