SELMA ADOUANE - Department of Agricultural Sciences, Mohamed Khider University, BP ۱۴۵ RP, ۰۷۰۰۰ Biskra, Algeria.
Yamina Bouatrous - Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology, and Valorization of Bio-resources (GBVB), Faculty of Exact Sciences and Sciences of Nature and Life, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria.
Mohamed Seghir Mehaoua - Laboratory of Diversity of Ecosystems and Dynamics of Agricultural Production Systems in Arid Zones (DEDSPAZA), Faculty of Exact Sciences and Sciences of Nature and Life, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria.
Jose Tudela - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence
Sara Mechaala - Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology, and Valorization of Bio-resources (GBVB), Faculty of Exact Sciences and Sciences of Nature and Life, Mohamed Khider University, Biskra, Algeria.
Virginia Tomas - Department of Analytical Chemistry, Regional Campus of International Excellence

The present work was undertaken to compare the insecticidal activity of two Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) essential oils chemotypes from the Mediterranean region against different life stages of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in constant environmental conditions. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique (GC-MS). α-pinene (۲۹.۴۲%), camphene (۲۴.۶۲%), and camphor (۲۰.۹۵%) were obtained as the majority compounds in the essential oil of R. officinalis from Algeria, as well as the main essential oil compounds of R. officinalis from Spain were α-pinene (۲۵.۶۲%), ۱,۸-cineole (۲۱.۰۶%) and camphor (۱۸.۳۹%). Ovicidal activity of oils was studied by topical application, while adulticidal and larvicidal activities were assessed by fumigation and ingestion, respectively. R. officinalis from Spain presented the highest toxic activity against eggs (۷۸.۳۳% inhibition), young larvae (LC۵۰ = ۳.۴۰ mg/ml) and adults (LC۵۰ = ۰.۱۷ mg/ml). On the other hand, R. officinalis from Algeria presented lower egg hatching inhibition with ۶۰% and fewer fumigant and antifeedant activities (LC۵۰ = ۰.۳۰ and ۴.۹۷mg/ml for adults and young larvae, respectively). The results of this study indicated the efficacy of rosemary essential oil as an alternative to synthetic insecticides in a postharvest treatment program for the control of E. ceratoniae.

Insecticidal activity, Essential oils, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, Bio-insecticide