Repellency of rosemary oil against Myzus persicae in a laboratory and in a screenhouse

The repellencies of 13 labiate essential oils against Myzus persicae were investigated with a linear track olfactometer. Rosemary, thyme, peppermint, lavender, and spearmint oils repelled aphids at a dose of 10 mu l. Rosemary and thyme oils repelled at a dose of 1 mu l. The repellent actions of 13 components of rosemary oil were also evaluated. Among these components linalool, d,l-camphor, and a-terpineol had repellent action. The repellency of rosemary oil in a screenhouse was investigated. Aphids were released in a screenhouse and allowed to choose between tobacco plants in an area permeated with rosemary oil odor and plants in a control area. The number of aphids in the treatment area was about 70% of that in the control area. These results indicated that the landing of M. persicae on host plants was influenced by odors and that it may be possible to control aphids with repellents.