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Abstract

Essential oils can be synthesized by all plant organs and they are among the most tested substances against insects under controlled conditions.In citrus orchards attacked by the date moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae, the role of bay laurel Laurus nobilis windbreak trees as a barrier to prevent the pest spread was noticed.To confirm this observation, a test was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the repellent effect of L. nobilis on E. ceratoniae last development stage (L5).Thanks to steam distillation technique, L. nobilis essential oil was extracted from bay laurel leaves and the preferred zone method was considered.Six essential oil doses were tested.After 24 hours of exposure on E. ceratoniae last larval instar a high repellency percentage (80%) of bay laurel essential was obtained for the 0.24 µl/cm 2 concentration.Consequently, bay laurel trees, could act as a barrier to prevent the spread the date moth in citrus orchards.