Compositional analysis and insecticidal activity of Eucalyptus globulus (family: Myrtaceae) essential oil against housefly (Musca domestica)

SEM image analysis of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil treated housefly larvae depicts significant morphological damages establishing its insecticidal efficacy. [Display omitted] ► E. globulus oil and vapour compositions were analyzed by GC–MS and SPME/GC–MS, respectively ► 1,8-Cineole was the major component in both, and it gets enriched in vapour. ► Insecticidal activity is tested for rarely investigated housefly larvae and pupae. ► Lower LD50 observed in fumigation as compared to contact toxicity assay. ► SEM of the treated larvae depicts extensive damage compared to untreated larvae. The essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) was evaluated for its chemical composition and insecticidal activity against the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Chemical composition of E. globulus oil revealed 1,8-cineole (33.6%), α-pinene (14.2%) and d-limonene (10.1%) as major constituents, while vapour profile of E. globulus oil determined through solid phase microextraction (SPME) analysis showed 1,8-cineole (56.5%), α-pinene (16.9%), d-limonene (5.5%) and linalool acetate (3.4%) as principal components. Vapour phase of the oil showed increase in the contents of oxygenated monoterpenes. Insecticidal activity of E. globulus oil was assessed against larvae and pupae of housefly, through two different bioassays: contact toxicity and fumigation. Contact toxicity assay with larva showed lethal concentration, LC50, between 2.73 and 0.60μl/cm2 for different observation days while lethal time, LT50, varied between 6.0 and 1.7 days. In fumigant assay for housefly larvae, LC50 values of 66.1 and 50.1μl/l were obtained in 24h and 48h, respectively. Oil treated larvae showed surface shrinkage, spinous cells proliferation and bleb formation in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Pupicidal effectivity was measured in terms of percentage inhibition rate (PIR) which was 36.0–93.0% for contact toxicity and 67.9–100% for fumigation toxicity assay. Considerable activity of E. globulus oil against larvae and pupae of housefly demonstrates its potentiality as a viable option for the development of eco-friendly product for housefly control.