Recently, a growing number of plant essential oils (EOs) have been tested against a wide range of arthropod pests with promising results. EOs showed high effectiveness, multiple mechanisms of action, low toxicity on non-target vertebrates and potential for the use of byproducts as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanopesticides. However, the number of commercial biopesticides based on EOs remains low. We analyze the main strengths and weaknesses arising from the use of EO-based biopesticides. Key challenges for future research include: (i) development of efficient stabilization processes (e.g., microencapsulation); (ii) simplification of the complex and costly biopesticide authorization requirements; and (iii) optimization of plant growing conditions and extraction processes leading to EOs of homogeneous chemical composition.

Crop Research Institute Drnovska 507 161 06 Prague 6 Czech Republic

Department of Agriculture Food and Environment University of Pisa via del Borghetto 80 56124 Pisa Italy

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Insecticidal Activity of Some Major Essential Oil Components against Metopolophium dirhodum and Its Predators

Acaricidal and insecticidal activity of essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of three Mexican Bursera species

Synthesis of Carlina Oxide Analogues and Evaluation of Their Insecticidal Efficacy and Cytotoxicity

Efficacy of Mentha aquatica L. Essential Oil (Linalool/Linalool Acetate Chemotype) against Insect Vectors and Agricultural Pests

Pure Camphor and a Thujone-Camphor Mixture as Eco-Friendly Antifeedants against Larvae and Adults of the Colorado Potato Beetle

Essential Oils from Cameroonian Aromatic Plants as Effective Insecticides against Mosquitoes, Houseflies, and Moths

Insecticidal Activity of Four Essential Oils Extracted from Chilean Patagonian Plants as Potential Organic Pesticides

Acaricidal Activity of Bufadienolides Isolated from Drimia pancration against Tetranychus urticae, and Structural Elucidation of Arenobufagin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside

Lavender oil as eco-friendly alternative to protect wood against termites without negative effect on wood properties

Potential of Essential Oils from Anise, Dill and Fennel Seeds for the Gypsy Moth Control

Antifungal and Insecticidal Potential of the Essential Oil from Ocimum sanctum L. against Dangerous Fungal and Insect Species and Its Safety for Non-Target Useful Soil Species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)

Secreted Enzyme-Responsive System for Controlled Antifungal Agent Release

Developing a Highly Stable Carlina acaulis Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for Managing Lobesia botrana

Fumigant effect of essential oils on mortality and fertility of thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Perg

Green Micro- and Nanoemulsions for Managing Parasites, Vectors and Pests

Efficacy of Origanum syriacum Essential Oil against the Mosquito Vector Culex quinquefasciatus and the Gastrointestinal Parasite Anisakis simplex, with Insights on Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition

Exploring the Insecticidal Potential of Boldo (Peumus boldus) Essential Oil: Toxicity to Pests and Vectors and Non-target Impact on the Microcrustacean Daphnia magna

Essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare Miller as a safe environmental insecticide against the aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer

Mosquito control with green nanopesticides: towards the One Health approach? A review of non-target effects

Clausena anisata and Dysphania ambrosioides essential oils: from ethno-medicine to modern uses as effective insecticides