Investigation of fumigant activity of some plant essential oils and their main components against mushroom cecid flies (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

In this study, alternative control possibilities were investigated against the adults of mushroom cecid flies (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), which causes important yield losses in the mushroom growing areas of the Antalya-Korkuteli district, which has an important place in the mushroom production of Turkey. For this purpose, the fumigant activities of essential oils obtained from anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.), pepermint (Mentha piperita L.) and oreganos (Origanum minutiflorum O. Schwarz & P.H. Davis and Origanum onites L.) and their main components (respectively, trans-anethole, eucalyptol, menthol, carvacrol ve thymol) were tested against the adults mushroom cecid flies.In this study, various doses (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 µl/lt air) and exposure periods (1, 4 and 8 hour) were used to determine the fumigant activity of the test essential oils and their main components against adults of mushroom cecid flies. According to the results from the study, the efficacy of the test essential oils against the adults of mushroom cecid flies was as follows; peppermint > eucalyptus > oreganos > anise. As for the components tested in the study, the order of toxicity was determined as follows; carvacrol > trans-anethole > tymol > eucalyptol > menthol. It was concluded that the dose of 10 µl/lt air and the exposure period of 4 h used in the study were the most applicable and practical parameters in the control of the adults of mushroom cecid flies.In conclusion, with this study an alternative control method was developed against the mushroom cecid flies which causes serious quality and yield loses in mushroom cultivation. Because of this method being more economic and less effect to the environment, the success rate in the control of the mushroom cecid flies will be enhanced by spreading of this method.