Repellent activities of essential oils and monoterpenes against Culex pipiens pallens

J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2002 Dec;18(4):348-51.

Abstract

Essential oils of Eulcalyptus globulus, Lavender officinalis, Rosemarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris were examined for their repellent activities against Culex pipiens pallens. All 4 essential oils effectively repelled adult mosquitoes on hairless mice. Essential oil of T. vulgaris (thyme) had potent repellent activity within the tested materials, with a protection rate of 91% at a concentration of 0.05% topical treatment. Thyme essential oil significantly extended the duration of protection until 3 bites by mosquitoes. With gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, thyme essential oil was a rich source of 5 monoterpenes, including in descending order thymol, p-cymene, carvacrol, linalool, and alpha-terpinene. These 5 monoterpenes also were assessed to determine their repellent activities to the mosquitoes. alpha-Terpinene had a potent repellent activity with a protection rate of 97% at a concentration of 0.05% topical treatment. Additionally, carvacrol and thymol showed an equivalent level of repellency. A spray-type solution containing 2% alpha-terpinene was tested for its repellent activity against Cx. pipiens. This solution showed stronger repellent activity than the currently used repellent N,N-diethyl-m-methylbenzamide (deet).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Animals
  • Culex*
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Cymenes
  • Ethanol
  • Eucalyptus
  • Female
  • Insect Bites and Stings / prevention & control
  • Insect Repellents*
  • Lavandula
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Monoterpenes*
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils*
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polymethacrylic Acids
  • Povidone
  • Rosmarinus
  • Terpenes
  • Thymol
  • Thymus Plant

Substances

  • Acyclic Monoterpenes
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Cymenes
  • Insect Repellents
  • Monoterpenes
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils
  • Polymethacrylic Acids
  • Terpenes
  • 4-cymene
  • methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer
  • Thymol
  • Ethanol
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • gamma-terpinene
  • rosemary oil
  • carvacrol
  • linalool
  • Povidone
  • lavender oil