Insecticidal Effects of Some Medicinal Aromatic Plants on Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

Aim of study: The aim of this study was to investigate the insecticidal effects of different concentrations and mixtures of essential oils of Spanish lavender, laurel, St. John's wort, fennel and senna on chestnut gall wasps. Material and method: In toxicity experiments, insects were treated with plant essential oils at two different concentrations of 0.625% and 1%. Petri dishes were checked at 1, 3, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours and the number of dead insects was recorded. The results were evaluated statistically. Main results: It was determined Spanish lavender (1%), Spanish lavender + laurel (1%) and Spanish lavender + fennel (1%) essential oils had the fastest and highest mortality effect. In particular 1% solution of Spanish lavender is promising for the biological control of gall wasp with its mortality rates of 50.96% within the first hour and 48.67% within the third hour. Research highlights: The results showing that low doses of herbal essential oils have a lethal effect within the first 24 hours give an idea about how high the repellent effect of these essential oils can be when used in nature.