Insecticidal activity of Callistemon speciosus essential oil on Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda

Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda are agricultural pests that cause important economic damage to soybean and maize crops, respectively, and are mainly controlled using synthetic pesticides. In the view of alternative control, essential oils stand out as a possible form of control in light of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Callistemon speciosus on A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, as well as to carry out the chemical characterization of the essential oil. Mortality percentages were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h. Relative to C. speciosus essential oil, the yield was 0.61% v/m; the major compounds identified were 1,8-cineole (37.21 wt.%), α-pinene (29.42 wt.%), and limonene (12.46 wt.%). The essential oil of C. speciosus presented insecticidal activity on both A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, causing 100% mortality of individuals of both species at 1.5% v/v after 24 h.