Potential of Essential Oils and Major EO Constituents in the Chemical Control of <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
2025
Virginia Lara Usseglio | Magalí Beato | José Sebastián Dambolena | María Paula Zunino
<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> is a major agricultural pest worldwide, causing significant economic loss to maize crops. Its control largely depends on synthetic pesticides, which contribute to resistance development, harm non-target organisms, and lead to environmental degradation. Essential oils and their main components offer a more sustainable and ecologically sound alternative for the management of <i>S. frugiperda</i>. This study evaluated the effects of selected essential oils and their bioactive compounds on the survival and behavior of <i>S. frugiperda</i> using toxicity and preference assays. Peppermint essential oil and its major constituent, pulegone, significantly reduced the survival of <i>S. frugiperda</i>, with effects similar to those caused by synthetic insecticides. Eucalyptus essential oil and its main compound, 1,8-cineole, also influenced the behavior of <i>S. frugiperda</i>, suggesting potential for use in repellents. These findings highlight the use of essential oils and their main constituents/active constituents as bioinsecticides and their integration into environmentally friendly pest management strategies.
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