1 Commercially available essential oils formulas as a 2 repellents of common stored products pest 3 Alphitobius diaperinus 4

The main scope of the presented paper is an assessment of the potential repellent effect of 13 selected essential oils (EOs) against Alphitobius diaperinus, which can cause economic losses in 14 storages and poultry industry. Due to development of pesticide resistance in A. diaperinus 15 populations, as well as an attempt to limit extensive usage of potentially harmful pesticides in 16 food-related industries, there is a strong need for development of alternative methods of 17 management of A. diaperinus infestations. Because of cost-effectiveness, availability and low 18 vertebrate toxicity EOs are promising agents in pest management. In presented paper four 19 of-the-shelf EOs: mint, vanilla, lemon and citronella (and their mixtures) were tested as a potential 20 repellents. Moreover, novel preference assay providing an extended analysis of preference and the 21 locomotor response was used. The most effective EOs were, respectively: citronella and lemon. EOs 22 mixtures were generally more repellent than single EOs, with lemon and vanilla 1:1 mixture acting 23 as the strongest repellent. Few of tested EOs caused significant alterations in locomotor activity, 24 although direct relation wasn’t observed. In conclusion, EOs can be potentially used as a repellent 25 agents in A. diaperinus management. Additionally, data on locomotor activity may lead to better 26 design of pull-push strategies in pest management. 27