Composition and repellency of Solidago canadensis L. (Canadian goldenrod) essential oil against aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

We determined the composition of essential oils from stems, leaves and inflorescences of invasive weed Solidago canadensis L. (Canadian goldenrod) and their repellent activity against aphids in laboratory. To our very best knowledge, this is the first such preliminary testing. In the field research, we evaluated the abundance of aphids within the grasslands invaded and uninvaded by S. canadensis L. The Spathulenol was detected as the major component in the inflorescences essential oils (EOs) (13.57 %), cyclocolorenone dominated EOs from stems and leaves (30.7 % and 11.9 % respectively). The repellent activity of C. goldenrod essential oils of separated plant organs against aphids responded repellency class I. (leaves) and II. (stems, inflorescences). Simultaneously, the abundance of Aphididae family representatives was lower in the invaded grasslands. Goldenrod EO composition as well as its repelent activity was variable depending on plant organs, locality of plant material origin and EO contents. Although S. canadensis L. essential oil had moderate repellent activity against aphids, we suppose, that volatile essential oils produced by invasive C. goldenrod could make the differences in aphids abundance between invaded and uninvaded grasslands, and also other aboveground, plant associated invertebrates groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]