Repellence and fumigant toxicity of essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum kilimandscharicum on Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta Meyrick originates in South America and is now one of the most important insect pests of Solanaceae in different parts of the world, including Africa. Its control has relied primarily on chemical insecticides, which are associated with negative ecological effects. In the present study, essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum and O. kilimandscharicum were tested for repellence and fumigant toxicity on the adult stages under laboratory conditions. The oil of O. gratissimum was more repellent, but its toxicity was comparable with that of O. kilimandscharicum . The major constituents of O. gratissimum were methyl eugenol (39.5%) and eugenol (29.7%). Those of O. kilimandscharicum were camphor (47.1%) and 1.8-cineole (19.3%). Eugenol (LC 50 of 0.24 μl/ml, 83.3%, RI 50 = 0.15) and camphor (LC 50 of 0.23 μl/ml, 89.5%, RI 50 = 0.13) were more toxic (at 1 μl/ml for 24 h) and repellent than the other constituents. The results show potential of the essential oils for use in integrated management of the tomato pest.