Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality 86, 198 - 204 (2013), DOI:10.5073/JABFQ.2013.086.027 1Atatürk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzurum, Turkey 2 Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Kamil Özdağ Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Karaman, Turkey Insecticidal effects of monoterpenes on Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) E. Yildirim1*, B. Emsen2, S. Kordali1 (Received April 2, 2013) * Corresponding author Summary Twenty eight monoterpenes including monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes (borneol, borynl acetate, camphene, camphor, 3-carene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, citronellal, β-citronellene, β-citronellol, dihydrocarvone, fenchol, fenchone, geranyl acetate, isomenthol, limonene, limonene oxide, linalool, linalyl acetate, men- thol, menthone, myrcene, nerol, neryl acetate, α-pinene, β-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol), the active compounds of essential oils obtained from different plant species were tested against adults of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky under laboratory conditions. The monoterpenes were applied at contents of 10, 20 and 30 μl for liquid compounds and 10, 20 and 30 μg for solid compounds. The results show that most of the monoterpenes have significantly insecticidal effect on the tested insects. Insecticidal effects of monoterpene hydrocarbons were found to be lower than those of oxygenated monoterpenes. The ketone and aldehyde and epoxide derivatives of oxygenated monoterpenes were also found to be more toxic as compared with their other derivatives. Mortality percentage of S. zeamais adults, after 96th h of exposure at the maximum dose (30 μl/μg) of oxygenated monoterpenes including borneol, fenchol, linalool, menthol, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol (alcohols group); 1,8- cineole, limonene oxide (epoxides group); camphor, carvone, citro- nellal, dihydrocarvone, fenchone, menthone (ketones and aldehydes group) and neryl acetate (esters group) attained 100 %. Concurrently, 3-carene from monoterpene hydrocarbons showed 100 % mortality after 96th h of exposure at the maximum dose (30 μl). Carvone, dihydrocarvone, fenchone, limonene oxide, menthone and terpinen- 4-ol from these compounds showed 100 % insecticidal effect after 48th h of exposure. Among the monoterpenes tested, carvone, dihydrocarvone, menthone and terpinen-4-ol showed the strongest insecticidal activities with 100 % of mortality at all doses (96 h after treatment) and then 1,8-cineole, fenchone, linalool and limonene oxide showed stronger insecticidal activities in comparison with other monoterpenes with lethal doses (LD50) values of 1.989, 2.445, 2.445 and 3.235 μl (96 h after treatment) against the test insects, respectively. Mortality rate of S. zeamais adults increased significantly (p < 0.01), as the dosage level and/or exposure time increased. Based on the present results, it can be concluded that the oxygenated monoterpenes may have a potential action for control of S. zeamais adults. Introduction The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an insect that causes yield losses in storage products in Turkey (YILDIRIM, 2012). S. zeamais is present in corn storage and can destroy the entire corn harvest. It may attack the corn and makes useless the product (YILDIRIM et al., 2012a). Several insecticides have been tried for years to prevent this damage. Chemical/synthetic insecticides con- stitute the first part of the trials. Synthetic insecticides demonstrate a high degree of impact of insecticide. At the same time, they cause many negative results such as death of non-target animals, residue problems and resistance against insecticides (ISMAN, 2006). These disadvantage sides of synthetic pesticides have created a viewpoint for the introduction of alternative pesticides. Hence, in recent years research showed that natural products can be preferred by farmers to protect stored grains from insect invasion (TAPONDJOU et al., 2005). Among the natural products plant extracts, plant secondary metabolites, plant essential oils and monoterpenes are shown as botanical pesticides. One of the most important features of botanical pesticides is to perform different effects on some insects. These pesticides can be used as insect antifeedants and repellants (ISMAN, 2006). Monoterpenes, the chemical constituents of essential oils found in plants, are known biologically active compounds. These major constituents are generally isolated from essential oils in Asteraceae (LEONARDI et al., 2013; UMPIERREZ et al., 2013), Hypericaceae (ROUIS et al., 2013), Lauraceae (CHANG and CHU, 2011), Myrtaceae (SHELTON et al., 2004; WEBB et al., 2013), Pinaceae (SADEGHI et al., 2013), Rubiaceae (DEL TERRA et al., 2013), Rutaceae (SHIMADA et al., 2004) and Solanaceae (MURUNGI et al., 2013) families. They constitute the main feature of many plants and keep away bacteria and fungi from plants. Also, plants become attractive for insects by these metabolites. Thereby some essential oils have bactericidal, fungicidal, antiparasitical and insecticidal properties (BAKKALI et al., 2008). At the same time, essential oils and their constituents demonstrate fumigant and topical toxicity as well as antifeedant and repellent effects (REGNAULT-ROGER, 1997; SHAAYA et al., 1997). Fumigation is a very important technique in insect pest elimination in stored products. Fumigants penetrate homogenously to endpoints because of their diffusion property and they can be applied to a large amount in a short time (ZETTLER and ARTHUR, 2000). Contact and fumigant insecticidal activities of plant essential oils and monoter- penes against stored product pests have been demonstrated (TRIPATHI et al., 2000; LEE et al., 2003; YILDIRIM et al., 2005, 2011; ABDEL- GALEIL, 2009; WANG, 2009; KORDALI et al., 2012; KUMAR et al., 2012). However, to the best of our knowledge, studies have not yet been conducted to evaluate the insecticidal activities of monoterpenes towards S. zeamais. Therefore, the present research was therefore undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of the some monoterpenes against adults of S. zeamais, important stored-product insects in grain storage in Turkey. Materials and methods Insects rearing conditions In this study, S. zeamais was obtained from storage house in Tokat region, Turkey. Corn grains were purchased from local market and stored in a freezer at -20 °C to maintain freshness. After the corn grains were removed from the freezer, in order to prevent pre-infestation they were washed by tap water, dried and heated before using it in Insecticidal effects of monoterpenes against Sitophilus zeamais 199 the experiments. S. zeamais adults were reared on whole corn in the laboratory at 12-13 % moisture content in plastic box (diameter 25 cm, height 30 cm) at 64 ± 5 relative humidity, 25 ± 1 °C and L:D = 12 h:12 h in the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum-Turkey. Adults obtained from laboratory culture were stored in separate insect cages provided with corn. Tests were also carried out under the same laboratory conditions. Determination of adults’ age Four to six day-old S. zeamais adults were used as the test material. In order to get adults at the same age, few grains of corn that included larvae and pupae were placed separately in Petri dishes. After adult emergence, the same age adults were collected and used. Individual monoterpenoids The compounds tested were borneol (Fluka), bornyl acetate (Sigma), camphene (Fluka), camphor (Fluka), 3-carene (Aldrich), carvone (Fluka), 1,8-cineole (Sigma), citronellal (Sigma), β-citronellene (Fluka), β-citronellol (Fluka), dihydrocarvone (Alfa), fenchol (Fluka), fenchone (Fluka), geranyl acetate (Alfa), isomenthol (Alfa), limonene (Fluka), limonene oxide (Aldrich), linalool (Fluka), linalyl acetate (Fluka), menthol (Fluka), menthone (Fluka), myrcene (Aldrich), nerol (Sigma), neryl acetate (Alfa), α-pinene (Fluka), β-pinene (Fluka), terpinen-4-ol (Aldrich), α-terpineol (Merck) and DDVP (2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) (Erzurum, Turkey). Bioassays In order to test the toxicity of the monoterpenes against S. zeamais adults, 33 individuals with 33 grains of corn were placed into Petri dishes (9 cm diameter). 10, 20 and 30 μl/Petri dish contents of liquid compounds and 10, 20 and 30 μg/Petri dish contents of solid compounds were applied with an automatic pipette on a filter paper (2 x 2 cm) attached to the upside of the Petri dish. Solid compounds were dissolved in ethanol (1:1, w/v). Filter papers were impregnated with the appropriate amounts of the solutions (10, 20 and 30 μg/Petri dish), placed on the lid of Petri dishes and then kept to evaporate the ethanol. Petri dishes were closed with an adhesive tape to prevent escaping of volatile compounds and kept at (23 ± 2) °C on a laboratory bench. Mortality rate of the adults was determined after an exposure for 24th, 48th, 72th and 96th h. Grains were divided into two and in this way insects inside the grains became visible. At the end of each trial period, it was touched to the insects with forceps and observed movements of them. It was decided that completely inactive insects were dead. Petri dishes applied with sterile water and ethanol (waited for evaporating of ethanol) served as control and petri dishes applied with DDVP served as positive control. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications including controls. Insecticidal action of monoterpenes was expressed as % mean mortality of the adults. Statistical analyses Differences among the insecticidal activities of the monoterpenes tested were determined according to analysis of variance (ANOVA) test by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®, version 15.0). Mortality was expressed as mean (percentage) ± standard error. Differences between means were tested through Duncan test and values with p < 0.01 were considered significantly different. LD50 and LD90 values at 96 h were calculated with regression analysis by probit using SPSS. Probit analysis of dose-mortality data was conducted to estimate the LD50 and LD90 values and associated 95 % confidence limits for each treatment. Results and discussion In the present study, insecticidal effects of 28 commercial mono- terpenes (borneol, borynl acetate, camphene, camphor, 3-carene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, citronellal, β-citronellene, β-citronellol, dihy- drocarvone, fenchol, fenchone, geranyl acetate, isomenthol, limonene, limonene oxide, linalool, linalyl acetate, menthol, menthone, myrcene, nerol, neryl acetate, α-pinene, β-pinene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol) including monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes were tested against adults of S. zeamais. The present results showed that the tested compounds have insecticidal effects on adults of S. zeamais in comparison with control groups (Tab. 1). Analysis of variance demonstrated that the effects of these mono- terpenes on the mortality rate of S. zeamais were highly significant on the basis of both dosage rate and exposure time (p < 0.01). Higher doses and longer exposure times scored maximum toxicities on S. zeamais (Fig. 1 and 2). Generally, oxygenated monoterpenes had higher insecticidal effect on S. zeamais as compared with monoterpene hydrocarbons. Some oxygenated monoterpenes were strong toxic compounds and among them, borneol, fenchol, linalool, menthol, terpinen-4-ol (alcohols group); 1,8-cineole, limonene oxide (epoxides group); camphor, carvone, citronellal, dihydrocarvone, fenchone, menthone (ketones and aldehydes group) and neryl acetate (esters group) attained 100 % insecticidal effect. The emergence of early effects of insecticides is very important. Carvone, dihydro- carvone, fenchone and menthone from ketones and aldehydes group of oxygenated monoterpenes attained 100 % of mortality at 30 μl dose after 24 h. In the monoterpene hydrocarbons, compounds that brought out the highest mortality results were 3-carene and β-citronellene. After 96th h of treatments, at 30 μl dose, 3-carene and β-citronellene achieved 100 and 90.91 % mortality, respectively. However, it was determined that there was no statistically (p < 0.01) significant difference between the 24 h results of control groups and the highest doses of five monoterpenes (bornyl acetate, myrcene, nerol, α-pinene, β-pinene) (Tab. 1). As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, there are positive correlations between the treatment dose and insecticidal effect; elapsed time and insecticidal effect. The highest levels of mortality percentages were achieved after 96th h of treatments at all of 10, 20 and 30 μl doses of the essential oils of carvone, dihydrocarvone, menthone (oxygenated monoterpenes- ketones and aldehydes) and terpinen-4-ol (oxygenated monoterpenes- alcohols) (100 %), at 20 and 30 μl/μg doses of fenchol, linalool, menthol (oxygenated monoterpenes-alcohols), 1,8-cineole, limonene oxide (oxygenated monoterpenes-epoxides) and camphor, fenchone (oxygenated monoterpenes-ketones and aldehydes) (100 %), at 30 μl/ μg doses of 3-carene (monoterpene hydrocarbon), borneol, α-terpineol (oxygenated monoterpenes-alcohols), citronellal (oxygenated mono- terpenes-ketones and aldehydes) and neryl acetate (oxygenated monoterpenes-esters) (100 %) (Tab. 1, Fig. 1 and 2). The present results showed that borneol, borynl acetate, camphene, camphor, 3-carene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, citronellal, β-citronellene, β-citronellol, dihydrocarvone, fenchol, fenchone, geranyl acetate, isomenthol, limonene, limonene oxide, linalool, linalyl acetate, menthol, menthone, myrcene, nerol, neryl acetate, α-pinene, β-pinene, terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol had varying degrees of insecticidal activity against adults of S. zeamais as the insecticidal activity increased with increasing dose and exposure times (Fig. 1 and 2). 200 E. Yildirim, B. Emsen, S. Kordali Tab. 1: Percent mortality effects of twenty eight monoterpenes to adults of Sitophilus zeamais Treatments Dose Mean mortality (%)a 24b 48b 72b 96b Control 1 (Ethanol) 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 2.02 ± 0.33 a 5.05 ± 0.33 a Control 2 (Sterile water) 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 2.02 ± 0.67 a 5.05 ± 0.67 a DDVP (Positive control) 10 μl 100.00 ± 0.00 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Monoterpene hydrocarbons Camphene 10 μg 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 4.04 ± 0.33 ab 6.06 ± 0.58 ab 20 μg 5.05 ± 0.67 abcd 7.07 ± 0.33 abcdef 13.13 ± 0.33 abcdefg 30.30 ± 1.15 defgh 30 μg 11.11 ± 1.20 cdefghi 17.17 ± 0.33 fghij 28.28 ± 0.88 hijk 51.52 ± 3.61 jklmn 3-Carene 10 μl 12.12 ± 0.58 defghij 22.22 ± 0.67 hijkl 47.47 ± 2.03 mno 86.87 ± 1.86 tuvwxy 20 μl 57.58 ± 0.58 r 62.63 ± 0.67 rst 84.85 ± 1.15 tuvwx 97.98 ± 0.67 y 30 μl 74.75 ± 1.20 s 78.79 ± 1.53 vwxy 96.97 ± 0.58 yz 100.00 ± 0.00 y β-Citronellene 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 5.05 ± 0.67 abcde 29.29 ± 0.33 ijkl 54.55 ± 1.53 klmn 20 μl 3.03 ± 0.58 ab 20.20 ± 0.33 ghijk 48.48 ± 0.58 mnop 75.76 ± 1.73 pqrstu 30 μl 16.16 ± 1.2 hijk 32.32 ± 0.33 lmno 65.66 ± 1.20 qrs 90.91 ± 1.15 vwxy Limonene 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 4.04 ± 0.33 abcde 6.06 ± 0.00 abc 34.34 ± 0.88 ghi 20 μl 10.1 ± 0.33 bcdefgh 15.15 ± 1.53 efghij 15.15 ± 1.53 bcdefg 58.59 ± 1.33 lmno 30 μl 27.27 ± 0.58 mno 34.34 ± 1.86 mno 27.27 ± 1.53 hijk 78.79 ± 1.00 qrstuv Myrcene 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 4.04 ± 0.33 ab 10.10 ± 0.33 abc 20 μl 1.01 ± 0.33 a 1.01 ± 0.33 ab 7.07 ± 0.33 abcd 22.22 ± 0.67 cdefg 30 μl 3.79 ± 0.73 abc 9.09 ± 1.00 abcdefg 22.22 ± 0.67 ghij 33.33 ± 0.58 fgh α-Pinene 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 4.04 ± 0.33 ab 16.16 ± 0.88 abc 20 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 7.07 ± 0.33 abcd 31.31 ± 0.88 efgh 30 μl 2.02 ± 0.33 a 6.06 ± 0.58 abcdef 17.17 ± 0.33 cdefgh 49.49 ± 0.88 jklm β-Pinene 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 3.03 ± 0.00 a 17.17 ± 0.88 abcd 20 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 2.02 ± 0.33 abc 8.08 ± 0.67 abcd 41.41 ± 0.88 hijk 30 μl 3.03 ± 0.00 ab 7.07 ± 0.33 abcdef 18.18 ± 1.15 defghi 53.54 ± 0.88 jklmn Alcohols (Oxygenated monoterpenes) Borneol 10 μg 3.03 ± 0.58 ab 10.10 ± 0.67 abcdefg 30.3 ± 0.58 jkl 58.59 ± 1.76 lmno 20 μg 18.18 ± 1.00 ijkl 25.25 ± 0.88 jklm 52.53 ± 0.88 nop 89.90 ± 0.33 uvwxy 30 μg 33.33 ± 1.53 o 41.41 ± 0.88 op 73.74 ± 1.20 st 100.00 ± 0.00 y β-Citronellol 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 5.05 ± 0.33 ab 35.35 ± 1.67 ghi 20 μl 3.03 ± 0.00 ab 5.05 ± 0.33 abcde 9.09 ± 0.00 abcde 50.51 ± 1.33 jklm 30 μl 10.1 ± 0.33 bcdefgh 13.13 ± 0.88 cdefghi 18.18 ± 0.58 defghi 63.64 ± 1.53 mnop Fenchol 10 μg 2.02 ± 0.33 a 20.20 ± 0.67 ghijk 51.52 ± 0.58 nop 80.81 ± 1.33 rstuvw 20 μg 16.16 ± 0.33 hijk 56.57 ± 0.88 qr 89.90 ± 0.33 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μg 30.3 ± 0.58 no 71.72 ± 0.88 tuv 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Isomenthol 10 μg 0.00 ± 0.00 a 14.14 ± 0.67 defghi 44.44 ± 0.33 mn 65.66 ± 1.20 nopq 20 μg 15.15 ± 0.58 ghijk 25.25 ± 0.88 jklm 59.60 ± 0.88 pqr 82.83 ± 1.76 rstuvwx 30 μg 29.29 ± 0.33 no 38.38 ± 1.20 nop 75.76 ± 1.73 stu 94.95 ± 1.20 wxy Linalool 10 μl 2.02 ± 0.67 a 55.56 ± 0.88 qr 76.77 ± 0.33 stu 95.96 ± 0.88 xy 20 μl 6.06 ± 0.00 abcde 71.72 ± 0.67 tuv 91.92 ± 0.33 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 15.15 ± 0.58 ghijk 88.89 ± 0.88 yzαβγ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Menthol 10 μg 1.01 ± 0.33 a 9.09 ± 0.00 abcdefg 56.57 ± 0.67 opq 79.80 ± 0.88 qrstuv 20 μg 10.10 ± 0.67 bcdefgh 59.60 ± 0.33 rs 88.89 ± 0.33 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μg 18.18 ± 0.58 ijkl 72.73 ± 0.58 tuvw 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Nerol 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 3.03 ± 0.58 a 20.20 ± 0.88 cdef 20 μl 2.02 ± 0.33 a 3.03 ± 0.00 abcd 8.08 ± 0.33 abcd 39.39 ± 0.58 hij 30 μl 8.08 ± 0.33 abcdefg 12.12 ± 0.58 bcdefgh 20.20 ± 0.33 efghij 51.52 ± 0.58 jklmn Insecticidal effects of monoterpenes against Sitophilus zeamais 201 Terpinen-4-ol 10 μl 43.43 ± 0.33 pq 83.84 ± 0.88 xyzα 96.97 ± 0.58 yz 100.00 ± 0.00 y 20 μl 83.84 ± 0.88 t 97.98 ± 0.33 βγ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 96.97 ± 0.58 vw 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y α-Terpineol 10 μg 19.19 ± 0.33 jkl 25.25 ± 0.33 jklm 45.45 ± 0.58 mno 69.7 ± 1.53 opqr 20 μg 40.40 ± 0.88 p 46.46 ± 1.33 pq 76.77 ± 1.76 stu 95.96 ± 0.88 xy 30 μg 54.55 ± 1.15 r 60.61 ± 1.00 rs 90.91 ± 1.15 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y Epoxides (Oxygenated monoterpenes) 1,8-Cineole 10 μl 13.13 ± 0.33 efghij 75.76 ± 2.52 uvwx 89.90 ± 0.88 vwxyz 98.99 ± 0.33 y 20 μl 24.24 ± 1.15 lmn 89.90 ± 1.45 zαβγ 98.99 ± 0.33 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 40.40 ± 1.20 p 98.99 ± 0.33 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Limonene oxide 10 μl 84.85 ± 1.00 t 87.88 ± 1.00 yzαβ 91.92 ± 1.20 vwxyz 96.97 ± 1.00 xy 20 μl 89.90 ± 0.33 tuv 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 98.99 ± 0.33 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Ketones and aldehydes (Oxygenated monoterpenes) Camphor 10 μg 13.13 ± 0.33 efghij 37.37 ± 1.45 nop 75.76 ± 1.73 stu 91.92 ± 1.45 vwxy 20 μg 32.32 ± 0.33 o 67.68 ± 1.45 stu 94.95 ± 0.33 wxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μg 47.47 ± 0.33 q 80.81 ± 1.20 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Carvone 10 μl 89.9 ± 0.33 tuv 98.99 ± 0.33 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 20 μl 93.94 ± 0.58 uvw 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 100.00 ± 0.00 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Citronellal 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 13.13 ± 0.33 cdefghi 53.54 ± 1.86 nop 70.71 ± 1.67 opqrs 20 μl 10.1 ± 0.88 bcdefgh 28.28 ± 0.67 klmn 83.84 ± 0.88 tuvw 98.99 ± 0.33 y 30 μl 19.19 ± 0.88 jkl 41.41 ± 0.88 op 95.96 ± 0.88 xyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y Dihydrocarvone 10 μl 92.93 ± 0.67 uvw 98.99 ± 0.33 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 20 μl 95.96 ± 0.88 vw 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 100.00 ± 0.00 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Fenchone 10 μl 72.73 ± 1.15 s 82.83 ± 0.33 wxyzα 88.89 ± 0.67 vwxyz 95.96 ± 1.33 xy 20 μl 96.97 ± 0.58 vw 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 100.00 ± 0.00 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Menthone 10 μl 87.88 ± 0.58 tu 91.92 ± 1.2 αβγ 98.99 ± 0.33 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 20 μl 97.98 ± 0.33 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y 30 μl 100.00 ± 0.00 w 100.00 ± 0.00 γ 100.00 ± 0.00 z 100.00 ± 0.00 y Esters (Oxygenated monoterpenes) Bornyl acetate 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 3.03 ± 0.58 abcd 37.37 ± 1.45 klm 54.55 ± 2.08 klmn 20 μl 1.01 ± 0.33 a 6.06 ± 0.58 abcdef 67.68 ± 3.38 rs 84.85 ± 2.89 stuvwxy 30 μl 7.07 ± 0.33 abcdef 15.15 ± 0.58 efghij 86.87 ± 2.03 uvwxy 94.95 ± 1.67 wxy Geranyl acetate 10 μl 2.02 ± 0.33 a 3.03 ± 0.00 abcd 12.12 ± 2.00 abcdefg 43.43 ± 2.33 hijk 20 μl 7.07 ± 0.88 abcdef 8.08 ± 0.67 abcdef 39.39 ± 0.58 lm 70.71 ± 2.91 opqrs 30 μl 16.16 ± 0.88 hijk 23.23 ± 0.88 ijkl 53.54 ± 0.88 nop 88.89 ± 1.76 uvwxy Linalyl acetate 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 0.00 ± 0.00 a 9.09 ± 1.00 abcde 19.19 ± 0.67 bcde 20 μl 5.05 ± 0.33 abcd 7.07 ± 0.33 abcdef 10.1 ± 0.67 abcdef 32.32 ± 1.76 efgh 30 μl 13.13 ± 0.67 efghij 20.2 ± 0.33 ghijk 21.21 ± 0.58 fghij 47.47 ± 2.33 ijkl Neryl acetate 10 μl 0.00 ± 0.00 a 14.14 ± 0.33 defghi 55.56 ± 1.20 nopq 72.73 ± 0.58 opqrst 20 μl 14.14 ± 0.33 fghij 41.41 ± 2.73 op 81.82 ± 1.53 tuv 96.97 ± 0.58 xy 30 μl 22.22 ± 0.67 klm 55.56 ± 2.85 qr 92.93 ± 1.20 vwxyz 100.00 ± 0.00 y a Mean ± SE of three replicates, each set-up with 33 adults b Exposure time (h) Values followed by different letters in the same column differ significantly at p < 0.01 Tab. 1 (continued) Treatments Dose Mean mortality (%)a 24b 48b 72b 96b 202 E. Yildirim, B. Emsen, S. Kordali The most effective ones among twenty eight monoterpenes were carvone, dihydrocarvone, menthone and terpinen-4-ol with 100 % of mortality at all doses (96 h after treatment). Other compounds that had strong fumigant insecticidal efficacy were 1,8-cineole, fenchone, linalool and limonene oxide according to LD values. LD50 and LD90 values at 96th h belong to 1,8-cineole were 1.989 and 4.808 μl; values belong to fenchone were 2.445 and 6.815 μl; values belong to linalool were 2.445 and 6.815 μl; values belong to limonene oxide were 3.235 and 6.957 μl, respectively (Tab. 2). Some of the previous studies demonstrated that in general, the toxi- city of essential oils isolated from plant samples against stored pests was mainly related to their major components. These compounds are generally described as monoterpenes (BANCHIO et al., 2005; KORDALI et al., 2006; LÓPEZ et al., 2011; KUMAR et al., 2012) and secondary metabolites (EMSEN et al., 2012a, 2012b; YILDIRIM et al., 2012a, 2012b). The results in this study suggested that the monoterpenes obtained from different essential oils might have different toxicity ratios and these differences originate from chemical constituents which is unique to them. Increasing use of natural insecticides will help to decrease the negative effects like toxicity to non-target animals, residue problems (environmental pollution) and insecticide resistance of synthetic or chemical insecticides. In this context, bio-insecticides may be also effective, bio-degradable, selective and associated with little advancement of resistance in the insect population and as a result, more safe to the environment. In this study, 96th h of exposure to the maximum dose (30 μl/μg) of borneol, camphor, 3-carene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, citronellal, dihydrocarvone, fenchol, fenchone, limonene oxide, linalool, menthol, menthone, neryl acetate, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol was determined to cause the highest mortality rate in S. zeamais adults. These compounds may be suggested to be potential insecticidal agents for controlling the adults of S. zeamais in stored food products. Obtained results and those reported earlier clearly indicated the variations in the effects of monoterpenes in regard to the stage, the Tab. 2: The 96 h LD50 and LD90 values of twenty eight monoterpenes to adults of Sitophilus zeamais Treatments LD50 (Limits) LD90 (Limits) Slope ± SE Borneol 8.992 (7.401-10.241) 18.143 (16.120-21.441) 4.204 ± 0.587 Bornyl acetate 9.161 (7.098-10.775) 23.493 (20.212-29.522) 3.133 ± 0.461 Camphene 28.865 (25.517-34.504) 69.510 (52.436-113.778) 3.358 ± 0.489 Camphor 4.867 (0.035-7.145) 9.365 (3.753-11.235) 4.508 ± 1.985 3-Carene 4.815 (1.665-6.821) 11.159 (8.737-13.468) 3.511 ± 0.950 Carvone a a 0.000 ± 0.000 1,8-Cineole 1.989 ( b ) 4.808 ( b ) 3.343 ± 4.259 Citronellal 8.086 (6.374-9.103) 13.240 (11.953-15.908) 5.984 ± 1.255 β-Citronellene 9.144 (6.397-11.192) 31.359 (25.303-46.204) 2.394 ± 0.419 β-Citronellol 21.939 (19.778-24.668) 51.737 (41.793-72.794) 3.440 ± 0.439 Dihydrocarvone a a 0.000 ± 0.000 Fenchol 7.395 (3.015-8.649) 11.481 (10.427-16.326) 6.708 ± 2.494 Fenchone 2.445 ( b ) 6.815 ( b ) 2.879 ± 1.536 Geranyl acetate 11.831 (9.669-13.617) 33.658 (27.754-46.197) 2.822 ± 0.411 Isomenthol 6.903 (3.994-9.039) 24.293 (20.022-34.169) 2.345 ± 0.455 Limonene 15.062 (12.671-17.293) 49.265 (37.635-79.876) 2.490 ± 0.391 Limonene oxide 3.235 ( b ) 6.957 ( b ) 3.854 ± 2.795 Linalool 2.445 ( b ) 6.815 ( b ) 2.879 ± 1.536 Linalyl acetate 35.024 (26.940-64.394) 206.010 (94.329-1766.180) 1.665 ± 0.402 Menthol 7.521 (3.403-8.722) 11.599 (10.546-16.492) 6.812 ± 2.482 Menthone a a 0.000 ± 0.000 Myrcene 53.801 (37.031-151.354) 286.547 (115.998-4201.509) 1.764 ± 0.451 Nerol 28.207 (23.108-40.568) 136.787 (75.125-569.351) 1.869 ± 0.397 Neryl acetate 7.364 (5.416-8.670) 14.099 (12.524-16.709) 4.543 ± 0.838 α-Pinene 32.400 (26.251-48.564) 139.764 (78.071-531.672) 2.019 ± 0.413 β-Pinene 26.365 (22.376-34.051) 99.263 (63.331-254.050) 2.220 ± 0.406 Terpinen-4-ol a a 0.000 ± 0.000 α-Terpineol 7.680 (5.858-8.958) 14.869 (13.220-17.589) 4.467 ± 0.764 a For this monoterpene no LD values are computed because the ratios of response counts to subject counts are the same, i.e. the slope is zero b Slope is not significantly different from zero. LD fiducial limits cannot be computed Insecticidal effects of monoterpenes against Sitophilus zeamais 203 species of insect. Otherwise, DDVP which is an effective chemical pesticide was used in this study and 10 μl DDVP with a standard of pesticide applications showed 100 % insecticidal activity on S. zeamais after 24 h. However, in recent years negative effects of chemical- containing pesticides as DDVP were investigated. Excessive usage of such pesticides causes environmental pollution (TORTELLI et al., 2006; KOPECKA-PILARCZYK, 2012). Moreover, it was reported that using of DDVP increased the human cancer risk (MAELE-FABRY and WILLEMS, 2004; KOUTROS et al., 2008). Therefore, tested essential oils proved to be promising as control alternatives against stored product insects especially, S. zeamais. Additionally, there is no statistically (p < 0.01) significant difference between the 24 h results of DDVP and six monoterpenes (carvone, dihydrocarvone, fenchone, limonene oxide, menthone and terpinen-4-ol) (Tab. 1). When considered from this point of view, it can be considered using botanical insecticides instead of chemical insecticides which have adverse effects on animals and/or humans. Furthermore, one of the reasons to prefer botanical insecticides is cheaper compared to chemical insecticides. The present study demonstrates the possibility of using the test monoterpenes particularly carvone, dihydrocarvone, menthone and terpinen-4-ol, as insecticides against S. zeamais. The effect of these monoterpenes at low concentrations might reduce the chemical residues and environmental pollution. The diverse activities of the test monoterpenes warrant further research into their potential development as compounds for the control of maize weevils. 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Address of the authors: Dr. Erol Yildirim (corresponding author) and Dr. Saban Kordali, Atatürk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, 25240, Erzurum, Turkey Bugrahan Emsen, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Kamil Özdağ Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 70200, Karaman, Turkey