Acaricidal properties of the selected components, blends and essential oils of species of genus Protium (Burseraceae) against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

This study describes the chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves of Protium aracouchine and Protium giganteum, evaluates their acaricidal properties and investigates the role of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in toxicity to Tetranychus urticae by fumigation and residual contact. The chemical analyses revealed that spathulenol (32.2 ± 1.6%) and β‐caryophyllene (27.3 ± 1.1%) were the major constituents of the P. aracouchine and P. giganteum oils, respectively. Both Protium oils were toxic to the mite by fumigation and residual contact. The oils exhibited the same level of toxicity by residual contact, where the P. aracouchine oil was fivefold more toxic by fumigation than the P. giganteum oil. Among the chemical constituents tested, the mite was more susceptible to β‐caryophyllene and spathulenol, independently of the method used. The blends prepared with terpenes selected from the P. giganteum oil had the same level of toxicity as the essential oil. The investigation of the role of terpenes in the form of blends revealed that β‐caryophyllene and spathulenol contributed significantly to the acaricidal effects. These results suggest that the preparation of artificial oils is a promising strategy for the control of T. urticae.