BIOEFFICACY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF THYMUS VULGARIS AND EUGENIA CARYOPHYLLUS AGAINST HOUSEFLY, MUSCA DOMESTICA L.

Abstract

The housefly, Musca domestica L., is a cosmopolitan insect, associated with vectoring of various etiological agents. In order to search for effective control method, bioefficacy of essential oils of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Clove leaf (Eugenia coryophyllus) was studied against housefly. The LC (50) 3.18ug/cm² value of Clove leaf oil was found highly effective as compared to LC (50) value 4.39ug/cm² of Thyme essential oil for inducing mortality of M. domestica larvae. The adulticidal activity of Thyme essential oil LC (50) 32.71 mg/dm³ was toxic than Clove leaf essential oil [LC (50) 53.10 mg/dm³]. In Attractant / repellant Bioassay, Thyme essential oil revealed 90.21% repellency as compared to 80.68 % value of Clove leaf essential oil against adults of House fly. In fumigation bioassay, Thyme showed high Pupicidal activity than Clove leaf oil and in contact toxicity bioassay using topical application both the oils showed 100 % pupicidal mortality. The data reveals that Clove and Thyme essential oils have excellent potential for controlling M. domestica population as eco-friendly approach in IPM.