RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the insecticidal properties of essential oil derived from Eucalyptus cinerea leaves and its main component, 1,8-cineole, against two significant pests of stored dates, Ectomyelois ceratoniae and Ephestia kuehniella (Pyralidae). The impact of the treatment on the sensory characteristics of date fruits was assessed to verify the complete absence of off-odours and off-flavours. Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis of E. cinerea essential oil revealed that the primary compound was 1,8-cineole (74.5%). Fumigant toxicity of the two pests, indicated that first instar larvae (L1) exhibited greater tolerance to E. cinerea EO and 1,8-cineole than L5, while adult forms were more susceptible than larvae. The E. cinerea EO had a noticeable pest contact activity when used at a concentration of 0.35 µL/cm2 caused 100 and 88.3% mortality to E. ceratoniae and E. kueheniella, respectively, after 1 hour of exposure. Hedonic evaluation showed that consumers' appreciation of fumigated dates was not significantly different to the no treated dates.
