Evaluation of the Essential Oils Used in the Production of Biopesticides: Assessing Their Toxicity toward Both Arthropod Target Species and Beneficial Pollinators

Abstract

Biopesticides, alongside the expansive growth of conventional agriculture, emerged as a hopeful avenue for mitigating the environmental impact of synthetic chemicals. Essential oils derived from various plant species are regarded as environmentally friendly and have been suggested by numerous researchers for combating the pest species. However, in addition to their detrimental effects on harmful species, these essential oils exert varying degrees of impact on non-target species with which they share ecological relationships. This review serves the dual purpose of updating data on the use of the essential oils as biopesticides, considering the substantial increase in research output in the recent years. Simultaneously, it aims to provide a focused synthesis on the essential oils currently approved for commercial use as biopesticides, and shedding light on their impact on beneficial pollinator species, which may inadvertently suffer from the application of substances deemed safe by most users.

An Overview of the Mechanisms of Action and Administration Technologies of the Essential Oils Used as Green Insecticides

“…The results are in accordance with those obtained by the authors in a recent study on use of the essential oils as biopesticides [14]: papers in WoS in the last 4 years represent 62.61% (in correlation with harmful insect species) and 65.21% (in correlation with nontarget species) of the total number of indexed publications referring to these subjects.…”

“…As expected, the primary term is "essential oil", and the following words express research directions and associations made in the studies regarding the action mechanisms of essential oils. Establishing the chemical composition of the tested oils is crucial due to the significant variations observed depending on the environment in which the oil-providing plants grow [14,15]. Investigations on the mechanism of action of the essential oils are correlated with the degree of toxicity that they (or their components) exhibit on insects [16,17], as well as with resistance phenomena that reduce the effectiveness of biopesticides on target species [18].…”

Glandular Trichomes and Essential Oils Variability in Species of the Genus Phlomis L.: A Review

“…However, the diversity of the component elements with valuable therapeutic properties or with the potential to be used in agriculture and industry makes a more careful evaluation of them necessary. The biological activity was observed both at the level of the essential oils as a whole and in the case of their components investigated separately [16]; many times, their effect was manifested synergistically [5].…”

“…These substances can act as a defense mechanism against biotic and abiotic stresses [3], thereby helping plants to survive and thrive in their natural habitats. Additionally, glandular trichomes can also attract pollinators [4] and deter pests [5], contributing to the reproductive success and overall fitness of the plant species.…”