Antifeeding, Toxic, and Growth-Reducing Activity of trans-Anethole and S-(+)-Carvone against Larvae of the Gypsy Moth Lymantria dispar (L.)

Botanicals, such as essential oils (EO) and their compounds, are considered a viable eco-friendly alternative to synthetic insecticides, which threaten human health and ecosystem functioning. In the present study, we explored the potential use of two EO compounds, trans-anethole (phenylpropanoid) and S-(+)-carvone (monoterpene ketone), against gypsy moth larvae (GML), a serious pest of deciduous forests and orchards. GML feeding, survival, molting, and nutritional physiology were assessed at different compound concentrations and compared with the effects of the commercial botanical product NeemAzal®-T/S (neem). The impact of botanicals on GML feeding was assessed by the leaf-dipping method and showed the highest antifeeding activity of neem in the no-choice assay. GML that were offered a choice were deterred by anethole and attracted by low concentrations of carvone and neem. Ingestion of botanicals was more effective in inducing mortality and reducing molting than residual contact exposure. Anethole and carvone were better toxicants but worse growth regulators than neem. Assessing nutritional indices revealed reduced growth, consumption, and food utilization in larvae fed on botanical-supplemented diets. The highest metabolic cost of food processing was recorded in carvone-fed larvae, which exhibited a negative growth rate. The results suggest that anethole and carvone might be used as control agents against GML.