Résumé:
The processionary caterpillar is one of the main defoliators of Aleppo pine forests in
the Mediterranean basin. The chemical fight against this pest is considered an effective
means, but the problems of resistance and the harmfulness of pesticides have led to the
obligation to find healthier and more effective alternatives, based on the use of natural
products in order to biological control.
This study is devoted to the valuation of the insecticidal potential of the essential oils of
five aromatic plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family (Lavandula sp., Origanum sp.,
Rosmarinus sp., Salvia sp. and Thymus sp.) against the Aleppo pine processionary larvae.
The results obtained in vitro, revealed a strong insecticidal activity on the larvae of this pest,
the use of the essential oils of the five aromatic plants made it possible to observe mortality
rates greater than 50% and 80% for all the doses tested. on the second and fifth day
respectively. Observations show that processionary caterpillar larvae are sensitive to the
effect of EOs from Origanum sp., Thymus sp. and Salvia sp. in comparison with that of HEs
of Lavandula sp. and Rosmarinus sp.
This work indicates that the essential oils of the tested plants can be a source of new
effective bioactive molecules to carry out a biological fight against the Aleppo pine
processionary caterpillar.
