Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methyl salicylate, thymol and carvacrol as oviposition deterrents for Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on plum blossoms

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arthropod-Plant Interactions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A bioassay was developed to determine whether treatment with essential oils thymol, methyl salicylate and carvacrol can reduce the oviposition rate of western flower thrips (wft), Frankliniella occidentalis, on plum blossoms. Individual field-collected wft females were confined on single blossoms treated with three concentrations of essential oils applied in different suspensions: an aqueous 0.05 % Triton X-100 plus ethanol solution [ethanol/water/Triton (EWT)], an EWT plus Citrex® medium mineral oil and an aqueous 0.05 % Triton X-100 solution (water/Triton) plus Citrex®. The number of eggs laid per female over 24 h was compared to oviposition on untreated blossoms and those treated with control suspensions. A 10 % suspension of thymol significantly reduced oviposition rate by 85 % compared with blossoms treated with control suspension and untreated. Methyl salicylate concentrations of 10 and 1 % significantly reduced oviposition rate by 84 and 88 %, respectively, compared with the control suspension and, 89 and 85 %, respectively compared with the untreated. Carvacrol concentrations of 5, 1 and 0.1 % significantly reduced oviposition rate compared with untreated blossoms (84, 53 and 57 %), whilst the 5 % was also significantly different to the control suspension (69 % reduction). Suspension type had no significant effect on mean oviposition rate. We have shown that these essential oils are effective in reducing wft egg-laying when applied to fragrant flowers and have potential for inclusion in pest management strategies for this pest on plums. Further research is required to develop stable suspensions that provide an even deposit, more sustained release and that can reduce the phytotoxicity observed with the higher concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agelopoulos N, Birkett MA, Hick AJ, Hooper AM, Pickett JA, Pow EM, Smart LE, Smiley DWM, Wadhams LJ, Woodcock CM (1999) Exploiting semiochemicals in insect control. Pestic Sci 55:225–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allsopp E (2010) Investigation into the apparent failure of chemical control for management of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), on plums in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Crop Prot 29:824–831

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bennison JA, Maulden K, Dewhirst S, Pow E, Slatter P, Wadhams LJ (2003) Towards the development of a push–pull strategy for improving biological control of western flower thrips on chrysanthemum. In: Marullo R, Mound L (Eds). 7th International Symposium on Thysanoptera: “Thrips, Plants, Tospoviruses: the Millenial Review”, 2–7 July 2001, Reggio Calabria, Italy. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia, 199–206

  • Broughton S, Harrison J (2012) Evaluation of monitoring methods for thrips and the effect of trap colour and semiochemicals on sticky trap capture of thrips (Thysanoptera) and beneficial insects (Syrphidae, Hemerobiidae) in deciduous fruit trees in Western Australia. Crop Prot 42:156–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cook SM, Khan ZR, Pickett JA (2007) The use of push–pull strategies in integrated pest management. Annu Rev Entomol 52:375–400

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB, Wan AJ, Passreiter CM (2001) Insecticidal activity of essential oils to the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura. Fitoterapia 72:65–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan ZR, Pickett JA, van den Berg J, Wadhams LJ, Woodcock CM (2000) Exploiting chemical ecology and species diversity: stem borer and striga control for maize and sorghum in Africa. Pest Manag Sci 56:957–962

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koschier EH (2008) Essential oil compounds for thrips control: a review. Nat Prod Commun 3:1171–1182

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koschier EH, Hoffmann D, Riefler J (2007) Influence of salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate on post-landing behaviour of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). J Appl Entomol 131(5):362–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen M-C, Worner SP, Chapman RB, de Kogel WJ, Perry NB, Sansom CM, Murai T, Muvea AM, Subramanian S, Teulon DAJ (2010) Optimising the use of allelochemicals for thrips pest management. In: International Society of Chemical Ecology Conference 31 July-4 Aug 2010, Tours, France

  • Pearsall IA (2000) Flower preference behaviour of western flower thrips in the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Entomol Exp Appl 95:303–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter C (1952) An improved laboratory apparatus for applying direct sprays and surface films, with data on the electrostatic charge on atomised spray fluids. Ann Appl Biol 39:1–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh MA (1986) A desert plant from Egypt, Anabasis setifera: an efficient natural factory of carvacrol and thymol. J Agric Food Chem 34:192–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sedy KA, Koschier EH (2003) Bioactivity of carvacrol and thymol against Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci. J Appl Entomol 127:313–316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro SS, Wilk MB (1965) An analysis of variance test for normality (complete samples). Biometrika 52:591–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon C, Frati F, Beckenbach A, Crespi B, Liu H, Flook P (1994) Evolution, weighting and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial gene sequences and a compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction “primers”. Ann Entomol Soc Am 87:651–701

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teulon DAJ, Nielsen M-C, de Kogel WJ, van Tol RWHM, Davidson MM (2008) A new lure for Thrips major. N Z Plant Prot 61:386

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods JL, James DG, Lee JC, Gent DH (2011) Evaluation of airborne methyl salicylate for improved conservation biological control of two-spotted spider mite and hop aphid in Oregon hop yards. Exp Appl Acarol 55:401–416

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Prof. D. G. Nel, Centre for Statistical Consultation at Stellenbosch University and M. Booyse of the ARC Biometry Unit for statistical analysis. We also thank M. Knipe, P. Maharaj and D. Allsopp for technical assistance. This research was funded by the South African Stone Fruit Producers’ Association (SASPA), the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF-THRIP TP2009073100036). Rothamsted Research receives grant-aided support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) of the United Kingdom.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa

    E. Allsopp

  2. Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, South Africa

    E. Allsopp

  3. ARC Small Grain Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem, South Africa

    G. J. Prinsloo

  4. Department of Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK

    L. E. Smart & S. Y. Dewhirst

Authors
  1. E. Allsopp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. J. Prinsloo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. E. Smart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Y. Dewhirst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Allsopp.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Robert Glinwood.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Allsopp, E., Prinsloo, G.J., Smart, L.E. et al. Methyl salicylate, thymol and carvacrol as oviposition deterrents for Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on plum blossoms. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 8, 421–427 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-014-9323-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-014-9323-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation