Alabama argillacea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is a cotton pest. It is considered the most important defoliator species. It is commonly controlled using non-selective synthetic insecticides. However, they cause adverse effects to the environment. Thus, there is a need for more sustainable forms of management. In this case, essential oils may be a promising alternative. They have proven effects against countless agricultural pests. However, there is still few information on the effects of essential oils against A. argillacea. The present work aims to evaluate the deterrent activity of essential oils of Mentha spicata, Litsea cubeba, Melaleuca alternifolia and Juniperus virginiana on the oviposition of A. argillacea and identify which compounds of these oils are responsible for this action. Oviposition bioassays were performed to test oils. Gas chromatography coupled with electroantennography (GC-EAD) was performed to identify constituents detected by A. argillacea. In oviposition bioassays, only the oil of M. spicata showed activity against A. argillacea. GC-EAD analyses of this oil revealed that three compounds elicited visible antennal responses, namely, limonene, carvone and (E)-β-caryophyllene. Bioassays testing these three compounds showed that only limonene elicited oviposition deterrence against A. argillacea. Hence, the findings suggest that the essential oil of M. spicata and, more specially, limonene may contribute to a more sustainable management of this important pest of cotton.

中文翻译：

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Alabama argillacea (Hübner, 1823) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) 对精油和化合物的产卵行为和电生理反应

Alabama argillacea（鳞翅目：Erebidae）是一种棉花害虫。它被认为是最重要的落叶树种。它通常使用非选择性合成杀虫剂进行控制。然而，它们对环境造成不利影响。因此，需要更可持续的管理形式。在这种情况下，精油可能是一个很有前途的替代品。它们已被证明对无数农业害虫有效。然而，关于精油对A. argillacea的影响的信息仍然很少。目前的工作旨在评估香茅、山苍子、互叶白千层和杜松精油的威慑活性。关于A. argillacea的产卵，并确定这些油的哪些化合物负责这一行动。进行产卵生物测定以测试油。进行气相色谱结合触角电图 (GC-EAD) 以鉴定A. argillacea检测到的成分。在产卵生物测定中，只有M. spicata的油显示出抗A. argillacea 的活性。这种油的 GC-EAD 分析表明，三种化合物引起了可见的触角反应，即柠檬烯、香芹酮和 ( E )-β-石竹烯。测试这三种化合物的生物测定表明，只有柠檬烯对A. argillacea 产生产卵威慑作用. 因此，研究结果表明，M。spicata的香精油，尤其是柠檬烯，可能有助于对该棉的重要害虫进行更可持续的管理。