Influence of leaf volatiles of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. on the growth and development of Exorista bombycis (Louis)

Abstract

The study evaluated the influence of olatiles emanating from crushed leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. on the growth and development. of uzi fly (Exorista bombycis Louis), a serious endoparasitoid of silkworm (Bombyx mori Exposure of freshly laid eggs of E. bombycis (Louis) to volatiles from the leaves of E. citriodora Hook. for different durations resulted in significant reduction in their hatchability. None of the maggots emerged from the host larvae when the eggs of the parasitoid were x posed for 64 and 74 hours to the volatiles. There was a significant increase in the duration of the life cycle aside from the reduction in the rate of pupation and adult emergence as the egg exposure period increased. Findings indicate that the chronic effects of volatiles were sustained during embryonic development. The known major chemical components of E. citriodora such as citronellal cineole, pinenes, pinocarveol, cuminaldehyde, sesquiterpene alcohols, aromadendrene, phenols and aldehydes are presumed to be responsible for its adverse effects on E. bombycis.