Assessing the Attractiveness, Fumigant and Insecticidal Efficiency of Monoterpenes and Phenylpropenes Along with their Latent Effects on Ceratitis Capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Crop-damaging and highly invasive species are found in the family Tephritidae (Diptera). They are constantly growing as a result of international commerce, globalization, and human relocation. A tephritid fly, like the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata, control continues to rely primarily on synthetic pesticides, which have detrimental consequences for both human health and the environment. In this regard, six monoterpenes (menthone [90%], nerolidol [95%], carvone [98%], ±citronellal [95%], cuminaldehyde [98%], and geraniol [98%]) as well as one phenylpropene (trans-cinnamaldehyde [99%]) were assessed for their ability to attract and kill (fumigant and insecticidal) C. capitata. Furthermore, how these substances effect on some biological activity. The examined compounds exhibit varying degrees of fumigant toxicity, with nerolidol (LC50 = 62.74 mg/liter air) being the most effective compound, followed by menthone (LC50 = 93.72 mg/liter air). The fruit flies have a tendency with a higher general mean attraction towards the nerolidol (24.10) than the others, while the citronellal (1.47) was the lowest attracting flies. In the insecticidal activity assay, nerolidol and menthone showed the highest mortality with increasing the concentration (23.3% and 20%, respectively) within 96 h at 5 mg/L concentration. Menthone increased the period of pre-oviposition (9.33 days) more than nerolidol (8.67 days) at a concentration of 5 mg/L, compared to the control (5.33 days). Moreover, menthone decreased the period of oviposition (9.8 days) more than nerolidol (10.4 days) at a concentration of 5 mg/L, compared to the control (15.7 days). Also, Nerolidol and menthone treatments resulted in a significant decrease in the mean number of eggs deposited per female (10.3-20.2, respectively) at 5 mg/L, compared to the control (85.8eggs/female). Menthone and nerolidol decreased fertility (24.2%-22.5%, respectively) compared to control treatments, which were 71.3%. Monoterpenes provide an environmentally responsible and sustainable alternative for treating C. capitata, but additional research is needed to ensure their effective implementation into integrated pest management strategies.