Study on the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the wild mint (Mentha longifolia L.) essential oil against the melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover)

Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods

M. Zamani verdi ¹ , H. Abbasipour ² , S. Goudarzvande Chegini ³

1 - Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Academic Staff of Shahed University
3 - Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2018-03-18 Accepted : 2018-09-10 Published : 2018-08-23

Keywords:

Abstract :

The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover is a polyphagous and cosmopolite species which is widely distributed in moderate and tropical regions of the world. The high-risk chemical pesticides are currently used to control this pest that have environmental impacts and also affect non-target organisms. Therefore, in order to cope with this situation, we must think about the safe alternatives to control this pest. In the current study, chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of the essential oil from wild mint, Mentha longifoliaL. was studied against the nymphal and adult stages of the melon aphid, A. gossypii. The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation method, using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus. The amount of this essential oil was determined by mass chromatography method. Bioassay experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with five concentrations (0.1 to 0.9 μl/L air) and three replications. For each replicate, 10 samples of the last instar nymphs and adult aphids were separately considered. Also, nymph production deterrent effect of the oil at sublethal concentration of the oil was studied against the parthenogenesis form of aphid. Results indicated that essential oil of M. longifolia is highly toxic to the melon aphid.The major components in the oil were Pulegone (44.75%), Menthone (30.80%), 1,8- Cineole1 (5.49%) and Cyclohexanone, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)- (2R-cis (2.06%). Probit analysis showed that the LC50 values for nymphs and adults of A. gossypii were 0.059 and 0.0081 µl. L-1 air, respectively. By increasing the concentration of essential oil, the mortality rate also increased. Also, degree of nymph production deterrent effect was calculated for the essential oil of M. longifoliaas 80.03±3.68%. The overall results showed that the wild mint essential oil has a high potential in controlling the melon aphid especially in protected areas such as geenhouses.