Effects of Myrtus communis L. leaf extract on eggs and larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyrallidae)

The greater wax moth was reared on its natural food consisting mainly of beeswax, and the various life stages of this insect were obtained. The results of the study showed that the aqueous and alcoholic extract of Myrtus communis L. leaves causes increase in mortality percentages of eggs and fourth instars larvae of the greater wax moth. In addition, there was a direct relationship between the extract concentrations used and the mortality rate of eggs and larvae. The alcoholic extract of the leaves was more effective in eggs and larval mortality percentages than the aqueous extract. Eggs at 24 h were more sensitive to the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves than eggs at 72 and 120 h. The sensitivity of eggs to extracts decreased by age. The results showed that the gastric effects of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the M. communis leaves were higher on the mortality rate in the fourth instar larvae than in the contact effect.