Insecticides and rodenticides form the basis of integrated pest management systems worldwide. As pest resistance continues to increase and entire groups of chemical active ingredients are restricted or banned, manufacturers are looking for new options for more effective formulations and safer application methods for the remaining pesticide ingredients. In addition to new technological adaptations of mainstream formulations in the form of sprays, fumigants, and dusts, the use of gel formulations is becoming increasingly explored and employed. This article summarizes information on the current and potential use of gel (including hydrogel) and paste formulations against harmful arthropods or rodents in specific branches of pest management in the agricultural, food, stored product, structural wood, urban, medical, and public health areas. Due to the worldwide high interest in natural substances, part of the review was devoted to the use of gels for the formulation of pesticide substances of botanical origin, such as essential or edible oils. Gels as emerging formulation of so called "smart insecticides" based on molecular iRNA disruptors are discussed.

• Klíčová slova
• essential oils, formulations, hydrogels, insecticides, integrated pest management, nanotechnology, plant extracts, polymers, rodenticides, vector control,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Essential oils (EOs) are plant metabolites with important insecticidal effects. Nevertheless, information on the efficacy of the major substances on aphids and their natural enemies is still missing. The objective of this paper is, therefore, to identify the efficacy of selected EO majority substances-β-citronellol, carvacrol, isoeugenol, and linalool, including their binary mixtures-on the mortality and fertility of the aphid Metopolophium dirhodum, an important cereal pest. The best efficacy was proven for the binary mixture of β-citronellol and linalool (1:1 ratio), for which the estimated LC50(90) is 0.56(1.58) mL L-1. This binary mixture applied in sublethal concentrations significantly reduced aphid fertility. It was found that the phenomenon can be attributed to β-citronellol, as the females treated with LC30 laid 45.9% fewer nymphs, on average, compared to the control. Although β-citronellol and linalool, including their 1:1 mixture, showed very good efficacy on aphid mortality, they were, on the other hand, very friendly to the larvae of Aphidoletes aphidimyza and Chrysoperla carnea, which are important aphid predators. Based on our results, the newly discovered synergically acting binary mixture β-citronellol/linalool can be recommended as an efficient substance suitable for the further development of botanical insecticides used against aphids.

• Klíčová slova
• Aphidoletes aphidimyza, Chrysoperla carnea, binary mixture, botanical pesticides, essential oils, synergism aphids, terpenoids,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

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.

• Klíčová slova
• botanical pesticides, microencapsulation, nanosynthesis, natural product research, stabilization processes,
• MeSH
• biologická ochrana metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické přípravky metabolismus   MeSH
• oleje prchavé metabolismus   MeSH
• oleje rostlin metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologická ochrana MeSH
• biologické přípravky MeSH
• oleje prchavé MeSH
• oleje rostlin MeSH

In the attempt to exploit the potential of the monoecious fiber hemp cv. Futura 75 in new fields besides textile, cosmetics and food industry, its crop-residue given by leaves and inflorescences was subjected to hydrodistillation to obtain the essential oils. These are niche products representing an ideal candidate for the development of natural insecticides for the control and management of mosquito vectors, houseflies and moth pests. After GC-MS analysis highlighting a safe and legal chemical profile (THC in the range 0.004-0.012% dw), the leaf and inflorescence essential oils were investigated for the insecticidal potential against three insect targets: the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Spodoptera littoralis and the adults of Musca domestica. The essential oil from inflorescences, showing (E)-caryophyllene (21.4%), myrcene (11.3%), cannabidiol (CBD, 11.1%), α-pinene (7.8%), terpinolene (7.6%), and α-humulene (7.1%) as the main components, was more effective than leaf oil against these insects, with LD50 values of 65.8 μg/larva on S. littoralis, 122.1 μg/adult on M. domestica, and LC50 of 124.5 μl/l on C. quinquefasciatus larvae. The hemp essential oil moderately inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a target enzyme in pesticide science. Overall, these results shed light on the future application of fiber hemp crop-residue for the development of effective, eco-friendly and sustainable insecticides.

• Klíčová slova
• Cannabis sativa, Crop residue, Culex quinquefasciatus, Essential oil, Musca domestica, Spodoptera littoralis,
• MeSH
• acyklické monoterpeny MeSH
• alkeny chemie   MeSH
• bicyklické monoterpeny MeSH
• Cannabis chemie   MeSH
• Culex účinky léků   MeSH
• insekticidy chemie   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   MeSH
• monocyklické seskviterpeny MeSH
• monoterpeny s cyklohexanovým kruhem MeSH
• monoterpeny chemie   MeSH
• moucha domácí chemie   MeSH
• odpadní produkty MeSH
• oleje prchavé chemie   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• polycyklické seskviterpeny MeSH
• seskviterpeny chemie   MeSH
• Spodoptera účinky léků   MeSH
• terpeny chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acyklické monoterpeny MeSH
• alkeny MeSH
• alpha-pinene MeSH Prohlížeč
• bicyklické monoterpeny MeSH
• caryophyllene MeSH Prohlížeč
• humulene MeSH Prohlížeč
• insekticidy MeSH
• monocyklické seskviterpeny MeSH
• monoterpeny s cyklohexanovým kruhem MeSH
• monoterpeny MeSH
• myrcene MeSH Prohlížeč
• odpadní produkty MeSH
• oleje prchavé MeSH
• polycyklické seskviterpeny MeSH
• seskviterpeny MeSH
• terpeny MeSH
• terpinolene MeSH Prohlížeč

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Amaranthaceae) and Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth. (Rutaceae) are two aromatic species traditionally used in Cameroon to repel and kill insects. The present work was carried out to substantiate this traditional use and to evaluate the possible incorporation in commercial botanical insecticides of their essential oils (EOs). The EOs were distilled from leaves of C. anisata and aerial parts of D. ambrosioides and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The insecticidal activity of both EOs was investigated against the filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, and the housefly, Musca domestica. As possible mode of action, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by the two EOs was investigated as well. The D. ambrosioides EO was characterized by the monoterpene peroxide ascaridole (61.4%) and the aromatic p-cymene (29.0%), whereas the C. anisata EO was dominated by the phenylpropanoids (E)-anethole (64.6%) and (E)-methyl isoeugenol (16.1%). The C. anisata EO proved to be very toxic to third instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus showing LC50 of 29.3 μl/l, whereas D. ambrosioides EO was more toxic to adults of M. domestica showing a LD50 of 51.7 μg/adult. The mixture of both EOs showed a significant synergistic effect against mosquito larvae with LC50 estimated as 19.3 μl/l, whereas this phenomenon was not observed upon application to M. domestica adults (LD50 = 75.9 μg/adult). Of the two EOs, the D. ambrosioides one provided a good inhibition of AChE (IC50 = 77 μg/ml), whereas C. anisata oil was not effective. These findings provide new evidences supporting the ethno-botanical use of these two Cameroonian plants, and their possible application even in synergistic binary blends, to develop new eco-friendly, safe and effective herbal insecticides.

• Klíčová slova
• Clausena anisata, Culex quinquefasciatus, Dysphania ambrosioides, Ethno-botanical pesticides, Musca domestica, St. Louis encephalitis,
• MeSH
• Clausena chemie   MeSH
• Culex účinky léků   MeSH
• insekticidy analýza   MeSH
• komáří přenašeči MeSH
• larva účinky léků   MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   MeSH
• monoterpeny s cyklohexanovým kruhem MeSH
• monoterpeny chemie   MeSH
• moucha domácí účinky léků   MeSH
• oleje prchavé chemie   MeSH
• peroxidy chemie   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Kamerun MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ascaridole MeSH Prohlížeč
• insekticidy MeSH
• monoterpeny s cyklohexanovým kruhem MeSH
• monoterpeny MeSH
• oleje prchavé MeSH
• peroxidy MeSH

In the last decades, major research efforts have been done to investigate the insecticidal activity of plant-based products against mosquitoes. This is a modern and timely challenge in parasitology, aimed to reduce the frequent overuse of synthetic pesticides boosting resistance development in mosquitoes and causing serious threats to human health and environment. This review covers the huge amount of literature available on plant extracts tested as mosquito larvicides, particularly aqueous and alcoholic ones, due to their easy formulation in water without using surfactants. We analysed results obtained on more than 400 plant species, outlining that 29 of them have outstanding larvicidal activity (i.e., LC50 values below 10 ppm) against major vectors belonging to the genera Anopheles, Aedes and Culex, among others. Furthermore, synergistic and antagonistic effects between plant extracts and conventional pesticides, as well as among selected plant extracts are discussed. The efficacy of pure compounds isolated from the most effective plant extracts and - when available - their mechanism of action, as well as the impact on non-target species, is also covered. These belong to the following class of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, alkamides, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, xanthones, acetogenonins and aliphatics. Their mode of action on mosquito larvae ranges from neurotoxic effects to inhibition of detoxificant enzymes and larval development and/or midugut damages. In the final section, current drawbacks as well as key challenges for future research, including technologies to synergize efficacy and improve stability - thus field performances - of the selected plant extracts, are outlined. Unfortunately, despite the huge amount of laboratory evidences about their efficacy, only a limited number of studies was aimed to validate their efficacy in the field, nor the epidemiological impact potentially arising from these vector control operations has been assessed. This strongly limits the development of commercial mosquito larvicides of botanical origin, at variance with plant-borne products developed in the latest decades to kill or repel other key arthropod species of medical and veterinary importance (e.g., ticks and lice), as well as mosquito adults. Further research on these issues is urgently needed.

• Klíčová slova
• Biopesticides, Botanical insecticides, Chemical characterization, Culicidae, Dengue, Filariasis, Insecticide resistance, Malaria, Microemulsions, Mosquito control, Nanoparticles, Vector-borne disease, West Nile, Zika virus,
• MeSH
• Culicidae účinky léků   MeSH
• insekticidy farmakologie   MeSH
• komáří přenašeči účinky léků   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   MeSH
• LD50 MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• insekticidy MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH

Malaria transmission is a serious emergence in urban and semiurban areas worldwide, becoming a major international public health concern. Malaria is transmitted through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The extensive employ of synthetic pesticides leads to negative effects on human health and the environment. Recently, plant-synthesized nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective mosquitocides. In this research, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the Azadirachta indica seed kernel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. AgNP were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The A. indica seed kernel extract was toxic against Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC50 were 232.8ppm (larva I), 260.6ppm (II), 290.3ppm (III), 323.4ppm (IV), and 348.4ppm (pupa). AgNP LC50 were 3.9ppm (I), 4.9ppm (II), 5.6ppm (III), 6.5ppm (IV), and 8.2ppm (pupa). The antiplasmodial activity of A. indica seed kernel extract and AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 of A. indica seed kernel extract were 63.18μg/ml (CQ-s) and 69.24μg/ml (CQ-r). A. indica seed kernel-synthesized AgNP achieved IC50, of 82.41μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.12μg/ml (CQ-r). However, in vivo anti-plasmodial experiments conducted on Plasmodium berghei infecting albino mice showed moderate activity of the A. indica extract and AgNP. Overall, this study showed that the A. indica-mediated fabrication of AgNP is of interest for a wide array of purposes, ranging from IPM of mosquito vectors to the development of novel and cheap antimalarial drugs.

• Klíčová slova
• Anopheles stephensi, Arbovirus, Botanical byproducts, Culicidae, Filariasis, Nanobiotechnology,
• MeSH
• Anopheles účinky léků   růst a vývoj   parazitologie   MeSH
• antimalarika farmakologie   MeSH
• Azadirachta chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• kovové nanočástice chemie   MeSH
• kukla účinky léků   parazitologie   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   parazitologie   MeSH
• malárie parazitologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Plasmodium berghei účinky léků   MeSH
• Plasmodium falciparum účinky léků   MeSH
• stříbro farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antimalarika MeSH
• stříbro MeSH

Synthetic chemical pesticides can enhance crop yields but also have undesired effects. Alternative 'botanical insecticides' may also have non-target effects on pollinators and biocontrol services. Employing action thresholds (ATs) can reduce pesticide (whether synthetic or botanical) use compared to fixed-interval applications. Here the azadirachtin-based botanical formulation NeemAzal and a neem seed extract (NSE) were evaluated in field spraying trials alongside commonly-used synthetics (Voliam Flexi [chlorentraniliprole plus thiamethoxam] and imidacloprid) in developing ATs for the regular and cosmopolitan cauliflower pests Brevicoryne brassicae, Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura. We considered the size of the S. litura larvae infesting the crop in order to derive ATs. ATs per plant were higher for NeemAzal (0.55 larvae for P. xylostella and 3 larvae for large-sized S. litura) than for Voliam Flexi (0.30 larvae for P. xylostella and 0.80 larvae for S. litura) but were similar for B. brassicae (50 individuals). Higher ATs when using azadirachtin were associated with the diverse modes of action of botanicals, for instance NeemAzal and NSE deterred oviposition of S. litura. Although the exact values of ATs are likely to have regional limits, our approach can be applied for determining ATs against common lepidopteran and aphid pests in many other vegetable crop agro-ecosystems.

• MeSH
• Brassica * MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• dusíkaté sloučeniny farmakologie   MeSH
• glyceridy farmakologie   MeSH
• insekticidy chemická syntéza   farmakologie   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   MeSH
• limoniny farmakologie   MeSH
• mšice účinky léků   MeSH
• můry účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• neonikotinoidy farmakologie   MeSH
• ovum účinky léků   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• terpeny farmakologie   MeSH
• thiamethoxam farmakologie   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Indie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• azadirachtin MeSH Prohlížeč
• dusíkaté sloučeniny MeSH
• glyceridy MeSH
• imidacloprid MeSH Prohlížeč
• insekticidy MeSH
• limoniny MeSH
• neem oil MeSH Prohlížeč
• neonikotinoidy MeSH
• terpeny MeSH
• thiamethoxam MeSH

Mosquito vector control is facing a number of important and timely challenges, mainly due to the rapid development of pesticide resistance and environmental concerns. In this scenario, screening of botanical resources for their mosquitocidal activity may offer effective and eco-friendly tools against Culicidae vectors. Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector of lymphatic filariasis and of dangerous arboviral diseases, such as West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis. In this study, the chemical composition of five essential oils obtained from different plants, namely Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold var. italica (Pinaceae), Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. aristatus (Lamiaceae), Satureja montana L. subsp. montana (Lamiaceae), Aloysia citriodora Palau (Verbenaceae) and Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér (Geraniaceae), was investigated by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, it was evaluated their acute toxicity on larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. Then, the most effective oils were selected, in order to focus on the potential synergistic and antagonistic effects, testing them in binary mixtures on C. quinquefasciatus larvae. Results showed that the higher effectiveness was obtained by S. montana subsp. montana essential oil (LC50=25.6μL·L-1), followed by P. nigra var. italica (LC50=49.8μL·L-1) and A. citriodora (LC50=65.6μL·L-1), while the other essential oils showed LC50 values higher than 90μL·L-1. The larvicidal effectiveness can be enhanced by preparing simple binary mixtures of essential oils, such as S. montana+A. citriodora (ratio 1:1), which showed higher larvicidal toxicity (LC50=18.3μL·L-1). On the other hand, testing S. montana+P. nigra (1:1) an antagonistic effect was detected, leading to a LC50 (72.5μL·L-1) higher than the LC50 values calculated for the two oils tested separately. Overall, our results add useful knowledge to allow the employ of synergistic essential oil blends as effective, cheap and eco-friendly mosquito larvicides.

• Klíčová slova
• Culicidae, Essential oils, Green pesticides, Integrated Vector Management, Mosquito control, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile,
• MeSH
• antagonismus léků MeSH
• borovice chemie   MeSH
• Culex účinky léků   MeSH
• elefantiáza filariová prevence a kontrola   přenos   MeSH
• encefalitida St. Louis prevence a kontrola   přenos   MeSH
• insekticidy chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• komáří přenašeči účinky léků   MeSH
• larva účinky léků   MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   MeSH
• oleje prchavé chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• oleje rostlin chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• Pelargonium chemie   MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• Satureja chemie   MeSH
• synergismus léků MeSH
• Verbenaceae chemie   MeSH
• yzop chemie   MeSH
• západonilská horečka prevence a kontrola   přenos   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• insekticidy MeSH
• oleje prchavé MeSH
• oleje rostlin MeSH

The growing interest in the development of green pest management strategies is leading to the exploitation of essential oils (EOs) as promising botanical pesticides. In this respect, nanotechnology could efficiently support the use of EOs through their encapsulation into stable nanoformulations, such as nanoemulsions (NEs), to improve their stability and efficacy. This technology assures the improvement of the chemical stability, hydrophilicity, and environmental persistence of EOs, giving an added value for the fabrication of natural insecticides effective against a wide spectrum of insect vectors and pests of public and agronomical importance. Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) root EO has been recently proposed as a promising ingredient of a new generation of botanical insecticides. In the present study, a highly stable C. acaulis-based NE was developed. Interestingly, such a nanosystem was able to encapsulate 6% (w/w) of C. acaulis EO, showing a mean diameter of around 140 nm and a SOR (surfactant-to-oil ratio) of 0.6. Its stability was evaluated in a storage period of six months and corroborated by an accelerated stability study. Therefore, the C. acaulis EO and C. acaulis-based NE were evaluated for their toxicity against 1st instar larvae of the European grapevine moth (EGVM), Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a major vineyard pest. The chemical composition of C. acaulis EO was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealing carlina oxide, a polyacetylene, as the main constituent. In toxicity assays, both the C. acaulis EO and the C. acaulis-based NE were highly toxic to L. botrana larvae, with LC50 values of 7.299 and 9.044 µL/mL for C. acaulis EO and NE, respectively. The C. acaulis-based NE represents a promising option to develop highly stable botanical insecticides for pest management. To date, this study represents the first evidence about the insecticidal toxicity of EOs and EO-based NEs against this major grapevine pest.

• Klíčová slova
• European grapevine moth, Integrated Pest Management, Larvicide, Tortricidae, green pesticide, insect pest, nano-insecticide,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH