Evaluation of the Insecticidal Effect of the Essential Oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to propose alternative solutions based on the use of natural products "bio-insecticide" to fight the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). To achieve this objective, we evaluated the toxicity of essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against larvae of Tuta absoluta. Bioassays were performed in the laboratory in Petri dishes of 90 mm diameter, at an average temperature of 26 ± 2 ° C, and a relative humidity of 60 to 70%. According to the method of Finney, the doses of 0.054μl/cm² of the essential oil of Cinnamomum zeyanicum were able to induce 100% of Larvae mortality within four hours of exposure. Moreover, the dose of 0,023μl/cm² is the LD50 of the essential oil that was able to induce 50% mortality of insects within four hours of exposure. 96.25% of repellency of larvae was induced by 0.0785µl/Cm² of the essential oil, whereas the dose of 0,0098μl / cm² induces only 52.50% of repellency of Tuta absoluta larvae, with an average of 73.12%. This study shows a potential repellent and insecticidal effect of essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against Tuta asoluta larvae on filter paper.