Toxicity of Citrus sinensis essential oil on Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae), vector of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Essential oils (OEs) have emerged as an increasingly promising alternative for vector control to replace synthetic insecticides. This work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of essential oil from <italic>Citrus sinensis </italic>(pear orange) peels on sand flies of the species <italic>Lutzomyia longipalpis</italic>. The insects were exposed to different concentrations of the essential oil (100, 200, and 400 mg mL-1), and the survival rate after exposure was evaluated. The chemical characterization of the essential oil was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that the essential oil from <italic>C. sinensis </italic>peels was toxic to sand flies at all concentrations evaluated, with a reduction in the survival rate with increasing concentration. Nine compounds were identified in the essential oil of <italic>C. sinensis</italic>, with <italic>d</italic>-limonene having the highest percentage of relative peak area of the total ion chromatogram. Further studies are needed to support the development of an efficient product that helps control these vectors.