Sublethal doses of Eucalyptus benthamii essential oil induce overcompensatory responses in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Carine Gallon; Gilberto Dinis Cozzer; Regiane Chiamente Pessetti; Bruno Spacek Godoy; Cassiano Sousa Rosa; Ivoneide Maria da Silva; Renan de Souza Rezende; José Vladmir Oliveira; Jacir Dal Magro; Daniel Albeny-Simões

doi:10.5327/Z2176-94782882

Authors

Carine Gallon Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4825-6032
Gilberto Dinis Cozzer Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4825-6032
Regiane Chiamente Pessetti Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2498-3936
Bruno Spacek Godoy Federal University of Pará (UFPA) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9751-9885
Cassiano Sousa Rosa Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3294-5677
Ivoneide Maria da Silva Federal University of Pará (UFPA) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3752-7941
Renan de Souza Rezende Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4129-0863
José Vladmir Oliveira Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6196-3498
Jacir Dal Magro Community University of the Chapecó Region (Unochapecó) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6465-6661
Daniel Albeny-Simões Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8001-030X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/Z2176-94782882

Keywords:

larval density; insecticide; natural compounds; vector control

Abstract

Managing mosquito populations remains the most effective approach to mitigating arbovirus transmission. However, stressor-induced mortality under determined conditions can trigger compensatory or overcompensatory effects in adult mosquito characteristics (total biomass, individual size). In this study, we evaluated the role of Eucalyptus benthamii essential oil as a stressor on Aedes aegyptilarvae, investigating its effects on larval development, adult size, longevity, and overall adult emergence. First-instar A. aegypti larvae were subjected to essential oil concentrations of 8.5 (LD50) and 18.5 ppm (LD90) in controlled laboratory conditions. We assessed pupal mortality, the proportion of pupae that successfully transitioned to adulthood, adult longevity (in days), larval growth rates, wing length, and overall larval mortality. The results revealed that the interaction between time and treatment had a significant effect on larval mortality. Although the essential oil concentration did not affect the number of larvae reaching adulthood, adult longevity and larval development time were notably extended under LD90 and LD50 concentration, respectively. Larval mortality rates were highest during the first week of exposure to the LD90 treatment. Furthermore, males and females produced in microcosms with LD50 and LD90 had significantly larger wings than in the control. These findings suggest that sublethal doses of E. benthamii essential oil may enhance certain adult A. aegypti population characteristics through overcompensatory mortality.

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