Tuta absoluta Meyrick originates in South America and is now one of the most important insect pests of Solanaceae in different parts of the world, including Africa. Its control has relied primarily on chemical insecticides, which are associated with negative ecological effects. In the present study, essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum and O. kilimandscharicum were tested for repellence and fumigant toxicity on the adult stages under laboratory conditions. The oil of O. gratissimum was more repellent, but its toxicity was comparable with that of O. kilimandscharicum. The major constituents of O. gratissimum were methyl eugenol (39.5%) and eugenol (29.7%). Those of O. kilimandscharicum were camphor (47.1%) and 1.8-cineole (19.3%). Eugenol (LC₅₀ of 0.24 μl/ml, 83.3%, RI₅₀ = 0.15) and camphor (LC₅₀ of 0.23 μl/ml, 89.5%, RI₅₀ = 0.13) were more toxic (at 1 μl/ml for 24 h) and repellent than the other constituents. The results show potential of the essential oils for use in integrated management of the tomato pest.

Tuta absoluta Meyrick起源于南美，现已成为茄科在世界不同地区（包括非洲）最重要的害虫之一。其控制主要依靠化学杀虫剂，这些杀虫剂会带来负面的生态影响。在本研究中，在实验室条件下，测试了Ocimum gratissimum和O. kilimandscharicum精油对成年阶段的驱避和熏蒸毒性。的油O. gratissimum更加剂，但其毒性是与可比O. kilimandscharicum。迷迭香的主要成分是甲基丁子香酚（39.5％）和丁子香酚（29.7％）。那些O. kilimandscharicum是樟脑（47.1％）和1.8桉树脑（19.3％）。丁香酚（LC ₅₀为0.24μl/ ml，83.3％，RI ₅₀  = 0.15）和樟脑（LC ₅₀为0.23μl/ ml，89.5％，RI ₅₀  = 0.13）更具毒性（在1μl/ ml下持续24小时）和驱蚊剂比其他成分。结果表明，该香精油可用于番茄害虫的综合治理。