Larvicidal Effect of Eucalyptus Essential Oils (E. globulus, E. radiata and E. citriodora) on L3 and L4 Larvae of the Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

The abuse of chemical substances used as pesticides harms the environment affectedanimal and human health. An alternative control proposal using three differentessential oils of Eucalyptus tested on the larvae of the last stages of the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta, whose damage to Solanaceae crops is still relevant. Essentialoils are extracted from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus, E. radiata and E.citriodora and are tested by inhalation at different doses on L3 and L4 larvae of T.absoluta. The average toxicity of these three essential oils increases proportionallywith the doses as well as the duration of exposure. The values obtained for the LD50after 24 hours of exposure enabled us to conclude that the three oils tested had alarvicidal effect against the third and fourth stage larvae of this pest