Sex-specific susceptibility of carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to Ferula assa-foetida L. (apiaceae) essential oil under controlled laboratory conditions

The carob moth, E. ceratoniae, is one of the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide. Although chemical control is a common method for managing this species, the negative impacts of synthetic insecticides on non -target species, public health, and the environment have led to an increased interest in developing safer pest control products. Pesticides based on herbal essential oils (EO) are among the most promising compounds for managing agricultural pests. In this study, we assessed the fumigant toxicity of essential oil derived from the plant F. assa-foetida towards E. ceratoniae adults. The major constituents of the oil were (Z)-1-propenyl sec -butyl disulfide (31.5%), (E)-1-propenyl sec -butyl disulfide (28.5%), and bis (1 -methyl propenyl) disulfide (12.2%). The bioassay results indicated that adult males are more susceptible than females to the EO, with LC50 values of 0.899 mu L L-1 and 1.509 mu L L-1, respectively. Investigation of detoxifying, antioxidant, and intermediary metabolism enzymes revealed that the differential susceptibility between the sexes originated in their differential enzyme activities. The results of the study indicate that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the treated and control groups in the levels of carboxyl esterase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and glutamyl transferase. These findings suggest that the activity of these enzymes increased in male and female carob moths treated with the essential oil. A comparison of the activity levels of the aforementioned enzymes and energy reserves revealed sex -specific differences in neurotransmitter, antioxidant enzymes, and energy reserves. These findings suggest that these differences may play a role in the observed susceptibility variations between the two sexes. The results of this study suggest that the essential oil (EO) derived from F. assa-foetida contains components with potential insecticidal activity. Therefore, it holds promise as an environmentally friendly insecticide for integration into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs targeting the control of the carob moth.