Efficacy of nanoencapsulated formulation of essential oil from Carum copticum seeds on feeding behavior of Plutella xylostella (Lep.: Plutellidae)

In order to increase the efficiency of essential oils، the use of formulations with controlled release of the oil encapsulated in micro- and nano-scales would be the best option. In this research، the antifeedant activity of nanoencapsulated essential oil of Carum copticum C. B. Clarke was investigated on Plutella xylostella (L.) larvae. To determine the nutritional indices of the larvae affected by the formulated essential oil، weight of ingested food، larval biomass and weight of feces produced were recorded daily for three days. The experiments were conducted at 27 ± 1°C، 65 ± 5% RH and photoperiod of 16:8 h light: dark. Results indicated a significant decrease in nutritional indices such as relative consumption rate، relative growth rate، efficacy of conversion of ingested food and efficacy of conversion of digested food as concentration of the oil increased. Moreover، digestibility was decreased significantly، 72 h after feeding. However، feeding deterrence index was not significantly increased as compared with control. The finding led to a conclusion that nanoencapsulated oil has potential to control release of the essential oils and increase in post-ingestive toxicity of the insect.