The bluebottle fly Calliphora vomitoria (L.) is a problematic synanthropic blowfly frequently recorded in most areas of the world, vector of of many foodborne, human, and domestic animal pathogens. Moreover, C. vomitoria maggots have the ability to develop in the tissues of vertebrates causing myiasis, a worldwide severe medical and veterinary problem. The prevention of blowfly infestations has traditionally relied on synthetic insecticides. However, the insurgence of blowfly resistance to chemicals, and the toxicity of synthetic compounds for humans, animals, and the environment, have made the development of new eco-friendly, low-cost tools alternative, to synthetic chemicals, a priority. In this regard, essential oils (EOs) of aromatic plants, have recently received increased attention as natural products effective as contact and fumigant insecticides and as repellents against insect pests. Artemisia annua L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. (Asteraceae) are aromatic plants whose EOs are known for their antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Objective of this study, was to assess the toxic and oviposition deterrent activity of A. annua and A. dracunculus EOs against C. vomitoria. Moreover, we evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the two EOs against microbial species which are considered among the most common and harmful in mammalian. Results showed that Artemisia EOs are able to deter C. vomitoria oviposition on fresh beef meat until 24h starting from 0.025 μL cm-2. Toxicity tests, by contact, showed that the mortality of about 50% adult flies is obtained with 40 and 25% solution of LD50 of A. annua and A. dracunculus, respectively. Artemisia EOs showed also a clear antibacterial and antifungal activities starting from 1.25 and 0. μL disc-1 for A. annua and A. dracunculus, respectively. Overall, this study showed that, thank to the combined repellent, toxic, and antimicrobial actions, A. annua and A. dracunculus EOs represent a promising tool for the reduction of the transmission and the spreading of microbial infections/contaminations by C. vomitoria blowfly.
KEEPING THE FLIES AWAY: ARTEMISIA SPP. ESSENTIAL OILS ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THE DISEASE-CARRYING BLOWFLY CALLIPHORA VOMITORIA
Stefano Bedini;Francesca Cosci;Andrea Lucchi;Barbara Conti
2017-01-01
Abstract
The bluebottle fly Calliphora vomitoria (L.) is a problematic synanthropic blowfly frequently recorded in most areas of the world, vector of of many foodborne, human, and domestic animal pathogens. Moreover, C. vomitoria maggots have the ability to develop in the tissues of vertebrates causing myiasis, a worldwide severe medical and veterinary problem. The prevention of blowfly infestations has traditionally relied on synthetic insecticides. However, the insurgence of blowfly resistance to chemicals, and the toxicity of synthetic compounds for humans, animals, and the environment, have made the development of new eco-friendly, low-cost tools alternative, to synthetic chemicals, a priority. In this regard, essential oils (EOs) of aromatic plants, have recently received increased attention as natural products effective as contact and fumigant insecticides and as repellents against insect pests. Artemisia annua L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. (Asteraceae) are aromatic plants whose EOs are known for their antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Objective of this study, was to assess the toxic and oviposition deterrent activity of A. annua and A. dracunculus EOs against C. vomitoria. Moreover, we evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the two EOs against microbial species which are considered among the most common and harmful in mammalian. Results showed that Artemisia EOs are able to deter C. vomitoria oviposition on fresh beef meat until 24h starting from 0.025 μL cm-2. Toxicity tests, by contact, showed that the mortality of about 50% adult flies is obtained with 40 and 25% solution of LD50 of A. annua and A. dracunculus, respectively. Artemisia EOs showed also a clear antibacterial and antifungal activities starting from 1.25 and 0. μL disc-1 for A. annua and A. dracunculus, respectively. Overall, this study showed that, thank to the combined repellent, toxic, and antimicrobial actions, A. annua and A. dracunculus EOs represent a promising tool for the reduction of the transmission and the spreading of microbial infections/contaminations by C. vomitoria blowfly.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
