Effects of parsley and camphor oils on mortality and trace elements of Chrysomyia albiceps larvae

The use of plant oils to protect sheep and other animals from infestation and myiasis of medical and veterinary pests are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of parsley oil (Petroselimum crispum) and camphor oil (Cinnamomum camphora) on mortality of Chrysomayia albiceps larvae and their effects on metal contents of the larvae. When the parsley oil used at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 100%, the larval mortality percent was increased with the decrease of the concentration and it reached 100% when the solvent used alone without oil. The pupation and the emergence percents decreased with the decrease of the concentration. The sex ratio was in favor of males at all concentrations except at the concentration of 100% where it was in favor of females. When camphor oil was used at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100%, the larval mortality percent was decreased with the decrease of the concentration and it reached 100% when the solvent was used alone without oil. The pupation percent increased with the decrease of the concentration. The emergence percent were similar in different treatments. The sex ratio was in favor of males at all concentrations except in the concentration of 50% it was in favor of females. In addition, the present study investigated the effect of parsley and camphor oils on the trace elements in the larval whole body. Eleven elements in C. albiceps larvae (untreated and treated with solvent (ethyl alcohol) and different concentrations of parsley oil) were detected. In untreated larvae Phosphorous was the most abundant element followed by magnesium and the least abundant element was ferric. In larvae treated with the solvent only (ethyl alcohol) potassium was the most abundant element followed by phosphorous and the least abundant element was ferric. In larvae treated with parsley oil at concentration of 25%, the elemental arrangement appeared to be similar to that of larvae treated with the solvent only. On the other hand, at the concentration (100%) the arrangement of the elements was completely changed to become; copper followed by zinc and the least abundant element was ferric. Manganese appeared in untreated larvae and completely disappeared in all other treatments. Also, aluminum element disappeared in larvae treated with 25% parsley oil. The treatment of larvae with camphor oil at a concentration of 25%, the elemental arrangement appeared to be similar to that of larvae treated with the solvent (ethyl alcohol). Concentrations of (50%) and (100%) led to change the arrangement of the elements to be sodium as the most abundant element, while the least abundant element was manganese. Sodium element appeared only in the body tissues of larvae treated with the concentrations 50% and 100%, while ferric element disappeared. Our results showed that the use of ethyl alcohol (solvent) gave good results in control of the larvae so the treatment of sheep wounds with ethyl alcohol will protect it from Chrysomyia myiasis. By comparing the effect of the two plant oils used (pure without solvent), we noticed that parsley oil showed low toxicity (3.33%) as compared with 43.3% for camphor oil when the oil concentrations was 100%. By diluting with ethyl alcohol to concentrations of 50% and 25% the mortality percent increased in parsley oil and decreased with camphor oil.