Essential oils cause detrimental effects on biological parameters of Trichogramma galloi immatures

Abstract

Essential oils from botanical extracts used for insect pest control should be both effective and have low impact on natural enemies. The objective was to evaluate the effects of ten essential oils on the biological and reproductive parameters in two Trichogramma galloi Zucchi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) generations. The emergence F1 generation of T. galloi was reduced by more than 30% with Allium sativum, Carapa guianensis, Citrus sinensis, Neem and Syzygium aromaticum. Zingiber officinale reduced the T. galloi emergence of the F1 and F2 generations by between 30 and 99%. The longevity of the F1 generation was reduced by more than 50% with Z. officinale at the pre-pupae and pupae stages. All oils reduced the parasitism rate of the F1 generation in the egg-larva and pre-pupa stages. Allium sativum, C. guianensis and C. sinensis, Neem and Origanum vulgare reduced parasitism by between 30 and 79%. Zingiber officinale was slightly and moderately harmful to the F1 and F2 generations, respectively, for the T. galloi parasitism. The sex ratio of the two T. galloi generations was not affected by the essential oils. The low side effects of the oils on the F2 generation, except for Z. officinale (the most harmful oil), suggest that T. galloi developed some post-transgenerational tolerance/resistance mechanisms to these oils and/or their components. The A. sativum, C. guianensis, C. sinensis, Neem, O. vulgare, S. aromaticum and Z. officinale oils were not selective for T. galloi. Mentha piperita, Piper nigrum and Thymus vulgaris essential oils can be included in integrated pest management programs for this parasitoid.