The widespread application of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has raised serious ecological and health issues. In response to these challenges, plant-based essential oils (EOs) have emerged as a promising alternative with powerful pesticidal properties. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the acaricidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal effects of Asteraceae EOs, particularly from Artemisia, Achillea, and Tagetes species, highlighting their potential for managing insects, mites, and plant-parasitic nematodes, their modes of action, and their relationship with chemical profiles. Key bioactive compounds, mainly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, affect pest physiology through neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition, and disruption of nematode egg hatching, juvenile survival, infectivity, and reproduction. However, challenges such as volatility and limited persistence under field and soil conditions remain. These can be mitigated through controlled-release strategies, including nanoformulations. Accordingly, Asteraceae EOs represent accessible, eco-friendly, and effective alternatives to conventional synthetic pesticides for managing harmful insects, mites, and nematodes. © 2026 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Acaricidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal effectiveness of essential oils isolated from Asteraceae plant family.
Pasquariello M.Data Curation
;Semprucci F.
Conceptualization
2026
Abstract
The widespread application of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has raised serious ecological and health issues. In response to these challenges, plant-based essential oils (EOs) have emerged as a promising alternative with powerful pesticidal properties. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the acaricidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal effects of Asteraceae EOs, particularly from Artemisia, Achillea, and Tagetes species, highlighting their potential for managing insects, mites, and plant-parasitic nematodes, their modes of action, and their relationship with chemical profiles. Key bioactive compounds, mainly oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, affect pest physiology through neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition, and disruption of nematode egg hatching, juvenile survival, infectivity, and reproduction. However, challenges such as volatility and limited persistence under field and soil conditions remain. These can be mitigated through controlled-release strategies, including nanoformulations. Accordingly, Asteraceae EOs represent accessible, eco-friendly, and effective alternatives to conventional synthetic pesticides for managing harmful insects, mites, and nematodes. © 2026 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
