Fumigant activity and AChE inhibition of myrtle and peppermint oils constituents toward adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius L

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., is becoming a major pest in human dwellings in a variety of ways across the world. In the early 1990s, pest management professionals began to receive an increase in complaints regarding bed bug infestations. The bed bugs living with humans typically feed at night or day in dark structure places. Male and female adults usually feed every 3-4 days and become engorged with blood in about 10-15 minutes. An assessment was made of the toxicity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of essential oils from myrtle (Myrtus communis), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and their constituents toward adult of insecticide-susceptible and resistance C. lectularius. Based on 24h LC₅₀ values, (-)-linalool (0.21 - 0.24 mg/cm²) and cineole (LC_50, 0.28 - 0.30 mg/cm²) were most toxic constituent against both insecticide-susceptible and resistance C. lectularius. Followed by 1R-(+)-pulegone (LC_50, 0.47-0.54 mg/cm²), (+)-terpinen-4-ol (LC_50, 0.51-0.56 mg/cm²), 3-carene (LC_50, 0.57- 0.64 mg/cm²), (+)-β-pinene (LC_50, 0.62-0.67 mg/cm²), 1,8 cineole (LC_50, 0.67-0.74 mg/cm²), menthol (LC_50, 0.75-0.85 mg/cm²), α- terpineol (LC_50, 0.83-0.90 mg/cm²), (-)-α-pinene (LC_50, 0.86-0.92 mg/cm²), and (-)-menthone (LC_50, 0.89-1.07 mg/cm²) respectivley. No correlation was found between contact toxicity and AChE inhibition. Both myrtle and peppermint oils, and their constituents shown their potentials as effective alternatives for harmful synthetic insecticides for the control of bed bug populations as fumigants in contact and therefore illustrated the need for further study of these essential oils.

Keywords: Cimex lectularius; Myrtus communis; Mentha piperita; acetylcholinesterase; essential oil;