Abstract

The essential oils of peppermint, Mentha piperita and lavender, Lavandula angustifolia were tested for their larvicidal and pupicidal activities against the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). The effects of the two lethal concentrations LC50 and LC75 on the larval duration, pupation percent, pupal duration and adult emergence were also determined. In addition, the induced malformation at larval and pupal stages were recorded and photographed. The results about M. piperita showed higher toxicity against M. domestica larvae than L. angustifolia. The LC50 and LC75 values were 2.5% (225 ppm) and 3% (270 ppm), respectively, for M. piperita and 3% (264 ppm) and 4% (352 ppm) respectively, for L. angustifolia.  Moreover, a significant prolongation in both larval and pupal duration, reduction in pupation and adult emergency percent in addition to various morphological abnormalities of larvae and pupae were detected post treatment of the third larval instar with LC50 and LC75 of  M. piperita  and L. angustifolia. The present results revealed that the essential oils of peppermint and lavender have a control potential against M. domestica and should be further explored as a component of integrated vector management programs.

Key words: Musca domestica, Mentha piperita, Lavandula angustifolia, larvicidal pupicidal.