The effects of essential oils of Artemisia absinthium L., Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller is an important and ubiquitous pest of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. in both fields and stores in the subtropical and tropical zones. In this study, oviposition deterrent of essential oils of wormwood, yarrow and tarragon was investigated on this pest. The results showed that the number of laid eggs on treated tubers were significantly less than the control tubers. Also, sublethal effects of mentioned essential oils on biological parameters and life table parameters were studied. The results showed that the number of laid eggs in the essential oils of wormwood and yarrow were significantly less than the control. Although results showed that all three essential oils caused significant reduction of the number of hatched eggs compared with control. Also, life expectancy of the pest in the first day of egg stage and at the time of adults emergence in wormwood, yarrow, tarragon and control were 21.61, 25.87, 21.81 and 26.17 days; 10.50, 11.18, 10.60 and 11.46 days, respectively. The results showed that essential oil of wormwood caused reduction of life expectancy of PTM. Therefore, the use of mentioned essential oils in the store environment can be useful against potato tuber moth.