Insecticidal activity of essential oils on Triatoma infestans

Sixty‐three essential oils isolated from Bolivian plants were tested on Triatoma infestans for ovicidal and larvicidal properties. Three types of test were used: topical application on insects, nymphs on impregnated paper and eggs on impregnated paper. Twenty oils showed an interesting activity on nymphs and eggs when the impregnated paper tests were used. These tests proved to be the most sensitive and were therefore chosen for studying the action of a dozen terpenes present in those active essential oils. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.