Plant Volatile Oils in Ecofriendly Management of Pests

Plant volatile oils are one of the safest and eco-friendly modes of pest management, especially for stored grain pests and sucking pests in field crops. Use of chemical pesticides leaves residues behind when applied in storehouses and godowns for storage pest management. Volatile oils such as cinnamon oil, neem oil, patchouli oil, clove oil, garlic oil and lemon grass oil are non-hazardous and are subjected to rapid degradation in the environment. Volatile oil compounds and their derivatives are considered to be an alternative means of controlling many harmful insect pests and their rapid degradation in the environment has increased specificity that favors beneficial insects. Plant volatile oils-based commercial products are being developed for a wide range of insect pest control in the field as well as storage. They induce fumigant and topical toxicity as well as antifeedant or repellent effects. This book offers one-stop knowledge regarding the efficacy of plant volatile oils in the life stages and growth parameters of some of the major pests of field and storage grain pests.