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Insects
Special Issues
The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition
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The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3559

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Luis Carlos Martinez

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Guest Editor
Department of Production and Plant Protection, University of Nariño, Pasto 602-7244309, Nariño, Colombia
Interests: cell biology; biochemistry and insect physiology; toxicology on insects and ecological populations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insect pests cause important constraints to agriculture and forestry, reducing food yields and quality. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy that focuses on the use of a combination of techniques to control insects and the damage they cause. In particular, chemical control is the dominant method utilized in IPM programs and is designed to reduce insect populations that negatively impact crops and new molecules and more rational and natural products acting selectively on pests have been introduced to control insects. Given the success of the previous Special Issue, entitled “The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests”, we are pleased to launch a second edition on the same topic, covering agricultural, silvicultural, and vetereinary and medical pest control to establish management strategies for insect populations. This Special Issue is dedicated to the insecticide efficacy of synthetic and natural molecules (e.g., chemical insecticides, plant extracts, essential oils, and bacterial and fungal metabolites). Research efforts shedding light on their evaluation in the field, their modes of action, the behavioral changes they result in at sublethal doses, and their non-target effects are all welcomed. Research items may include natural products, studies of modes of action, and insecticide toxicology and biochemistry. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Luis Carlos Martinez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • advances in insecticide modes of action
  • chemical insecticides
  • insecticidal action and pest control
  • laboratory and field insecticide evaluation
  • natural products
  • lethal and sublethal effects
  • plant extracts and essential oils

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 532 KiB  
Article
Toxicity and Efficacy of Thirty Insecticides Against Thrips flavus in Northeast China: Laboratory, Semifield, and Field Trials
by Tianhao Pei, Long Wang, Yijin Zhao, Shusen Shi and Yu Gao
Insects 2025, 16(4), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040405 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 358
Abstract
In soybean fields across Northeast China, Thrips flavus Schrank (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) populations are increasing, posing a significant threat to soybean production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, insecticide efficacy, and field performance of thirty insecticides against T. flavus. [...] Read more.
In soybean fields across Northeast China, Thrips flavus Schrank (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) populations are increasing, posing a significant threat to soybean production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, insecticide efficacy, and field performance of thirty insecticides against T. flavus. Laboratory bioassays revealed that fenthion (LC50 = 2.26 mg/L), sulfoxaflor (LC50 = 4.28 mg/L), cyetpyrafen (LC50 = 4.94 mg/L), and imidacloprid (LC50 = 6.16 mg/L) exhibited the highest toxicity against T. flavus. Pot experiments were subsequently conducted to assess insecticide efficacy. Seven days after application at the highest tested concentration, the insecticide efficacy of fenthion, sulfoxaflor, chlorantraniliprole, bifenazate, and malathion achieved 100% control efficacy. The four insecticides were selected for field trials based on their high toxicity and insecticide efficacy. Seven days after application, the field efficacy of fenthion at 11.25 g a.i.·hm−2, sulfoxaflor at 1.19 g a.i.·hm−2, cyetpyrafen at 8.10 g a.i.·hm−2, and imidacloprid at 11.25 g a.i.·hm−2 exceeded 80%. Thus, these four insecticides hold strong potential for integrated management of T. flavus. Overall, the findings provide a valuable reference for developing chemical control strategies against this pest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 1467 KiB  
Article
Azadirachtin-Mediated Responses in the Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
by Herlinda Quintero, Johana Quintero Cortes, Angelica Plata-Rueda and Luis Carlos Martínez
Insects 2025, 16(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030294 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 539
Abstract
Corn is one of the world’s most economically important cereal crops and can be attacked by Sitophilus zeamais. The control of S. zeamais is mostly based on synthetic insecticides; however, populations of this insect have developed resistance to various chemical compounds. New [...] Read more.
Corn is one of the world’s most economically important cereal crops and can be attacked by Sitophilus zeamais. The control of S. zeamais is mostly based on synthetic insecticides; however, populations of this insect have developed resistance to various chemical compounds. New rational insecticides that prevent the development of resistant populations need to be continuously evaluated. This research aimed to assess the effects mediated by azadirachtin on S. zeamais populations in terms of mortality, survival, food preference, and repellency. Azadirachtin is toxic to S. zeamais at the larval (LC50 = 3.36 ppm), pupal (LC50 = 23.0 ppm), and adult (LC50 = 37.7 ppm) stages. At all stages of insect development, the survival rate was 99.9% in insects not treated with azadirachtin, decreasing to 29.9%, 44.9%, and 68.5% in larvae, pupae, and adults treated with the LC50 of the bioinsecticide, respectively. The preference for untreated corn grains was higher with the LC25 and LC50 of azadirachtin, while the LC95 (209 ppm) repelled adults. Azadirachtin causes lethality in S. zeamais, compromising its survival and reducing the feeding preference on grains protected with repellent activity at high concentrations. Therefore, the use of this bioinsecticide may offer an alternative to control S. zeamais in the field and post-harvest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 1514 KiB  
Article
Essential Oils as Bioinsecticides Against Blattella germanica (Linnaeus, 1767): Evaluating Its Efficacy Under a Practical Framework
by Ana Manzanares-Sierra, Eduard Monsonís-Güell, Crisanto Gómez, Sílvia Abril and Mara Moreno-Gómez
Insects 2025, 16(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010098 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Concerns about the negative effects of traditional insecticides and increasing insecticide resistance have prompted the exploration of botanical alternatives like essential oils (EOs). The registration of biocides is a mandatory procedure, and some regions have established a special status for compounds that meet [...] Read more.
Concerns about the negative effects of traditional insecticides and increasing insecticide resistance have prompted the exploration of botanical alternatives like essential oils (EOs). The registration of biocides is a mandatory procedure, and some regions have established a special status for compounds that meet specific low-risk criteria, which includes certain EOs. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of sixteen EOs, both registered as low-risk biocides and/or standard biocides, against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. A topical application was performed with undiluted EOs (15 µL) on the dorsal surface of awake cockroaches. The results showed significant variations in efficacy, as follows: thyme, sweet orange, and lavender oils were the most effective, achieving 100% mortality within 24 h and a less than 30 s knockdown effect. In contrast, linseed and cottonseed oils were the least effective, resulting in 70% and 40% 24 h mortality. Remarkably, some EOs registered as low-risk biocides performed as well as the ones registered as standard biocides, suggesting that this category does not have to always be at odds with efficacy. Future research should adopt practical, application-driven approaches to ensure bioinsecticides balance performance and safety, meeting both regulatory and consumer demands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 2438 KiB  
Article
Botanical Pesticides: Role of Ricinus communis in Managing Bactrocera zonata (Tephritidae: Diptera)
by Rasheed Akbar, Sadia Manzoor, Rashid Azad, Gul Makai, Junaid Rahim, Umer Ayyaz Aslam Sheikh, Amjad Ali, Tariq Aziz, Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad, Mukhtar Ahmed, Daolin Du and Jianfan Sun
Insects 2024, 15(12), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15120959 - 2 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1141
Abstract
The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a notorious pest, posing a significant threat to a wide range of fruits and vegetables, leading to substantial agricultural losses worldwide. With growing concerns over chemical pesticide resistance and environmental safety, plant-based insecticides [...] Read more.
The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a notorious pest, posing a significant threat to a wide range of fruits and vegetables, leading to substantial agricultural losses worldwide. With growing concerns over chemical pesticide resistance and environmental safety, plant-based insecticides have emerged as eco-friendly and economically sustainable alternatives. In this context, the present study delves into the insecticidal potential of Ricinus communis extracts against B. zonata. The crude extract of R. communis was systematically fractionated using a series of organic solvents with increasing polarities. The fraction demonstrating the highest insecticidal activity was further purified for the isolation of bioactive compounds, employing advanced chromatographic techniques such as Column Chromatography, coupled with state-of-the-art analytical methods including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Bioassays were conducted on B. zonata using the crude extract and its fractions in n-hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate. Among the isolated compounds, 11,14,17-Eicosatrienoic acid was identified in both the methanol and ethyl acetate fractions. This compound exhibited remarkable insecticidal efficacy, with an LC50 value of 1.36%, a linearity of R2 = 0.64, and a statistically significant probability (p < 0.01). Particularly, 11,14,17-Eicosatrienoic acid emerged as the most potent bioactive agent against B. zonata highlighting its potential as a natural insecticide. These findings underscore the potential of R. communis as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for the sustainable management of B. cucurbitae. This study not only broadens the scope of plant-based pest control strategies but also opens avenues for further exploration of natural compounds in integrated pest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Efficacy of Insecticides and Botanicals Against Pests—2nd Edition)
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