Botanical insecticides are promising pest control agents. This research investigated the novel pesticidal efficacy of Araucaria heterophylla and Commiphora molmol extracts against four ectoparasites through treated envelopes. Seven days post-treatment (PT) with 25 mg/mL of C. molmol and A. heterophylla, complete mortality of the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii and cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus were reached. Against H. dromedarii, the median lethal concentrations (LC_50s) of the methanol extracts were 1.13 and 1.04 mg/mL and those of the hexane extracts were 1.47 and 1.38 mg/mL, respectively. The LC₅₀ values of methanol and hexane extracts against R. annulatus were 1.09 and 1.41 plus 1.55 and 1.08 mg/mL, respectively. Seven days PT with 12.5 mg/mL, extracts completely controlled Haematopinus eurysternus and Hippobosca maculata; LC₅₀ of Ha. eurysternus were 0.56 and 0.62 mg/mL for methanol extracts and 0.55 and 1.00 mg/mL for hexane extracts, respectively, whereas those of Hi. maculata were 0.67 and 0.78 mg/mL for methanol extract and 0.68 and 0.32 mg/mL, respectively, for hexane extracts. C. molmol extracts contained sesquiterpene, fatty acid esters and phenols, whereas those of A. heterophylla possessed monoterpene, sesquiterpene, terpene alcohols, fatty acid, and phenols. Consequently, methanol extracts of C. molmol and A. heterophylla were recommended as ecofriendly pesticides.

The present investigation aimed to determine the fungal toxicity of Isaria tenuipes (My-It) against the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti L. and its non-target impact against the aquatic predator Toxorhynchitessplendens. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) of My-It were observed in 2.27 and 2.93 log ppm dosages, respectively. The sub-lethal dosage (My-It-1 × 10⁴ conidia/mL) displayed a significant oviposition deterrence index and also blocked the fecundity rate of dengue mosquitos in a dose-dependent manner. The level of major detoxifying enzymes, such as carboxylesterase (α-and β-) and SOD, significantly declined in both third and fourth instar larvae at the maximum dosage of My-It 1 × 10⁵ conidia/mL. However, the level of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) declined steadily when the sub-lethal dosage was increased and attained maximum reduction in the enzyme level at the dosage of My-It (1 × 10⁵ conidia/mL). Correspondingly, the gut-histology and photomicrography results made evident that My-It (1 × 10⁵ conidia/mL) heavily damaged the internal gut cells and external physiology of the dengue larvae compared to the control. Moreover, the non-target toxicity against the beneficial predator revealed that My-It at the maximum dosage (1 × 10²⁰ conidia/mL) was found to be less toxic with <45% larval toxicity against Tx.splendens. Thus, the present toxicological research on Isaria tenuipes showed that it is target-specific and a potential agent for managing medically threatening arthropods.

The blow fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a primary facultative ectoparasite controlled by insecticides that have environmental and safety concerns; therefore, its natural and safe control is crucial. L. sericata eggs were subjected to 400 μL of 5% of 24 materials of plant-borne origin. The number of hatched and unhatched eggs were counted 24 h postexposure. Stopmyasis ^® expressed the highest ovicidal effect, followed by cedarwood, orange, and tea tree oils. The mean ovicidal results were 46.09–95.24% grouped as Class A, which provided the lowest hatchability rates. Even though benzoin, vanillin, citronella, and camphor oils grouped as Class B provided moderate ovicidal effects (33.69–43.92%), their efficacy differed significantly from those of the treatments in Classes A and C containing the control group and vetiver, eucalyptus, Olbas ^® , neem, sunflower, oil blends, patchouli, frankincense, p -menthane-3,8 diol (PMD), lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, calry sag, myrtle, and silicone oil. According to our knowledge, most (19 out of 24) applied materials were used as ovicides against L. serricata for the first time, except orange, eucalyptus, patchouli, cinnamon oils, and six of them were applied as ovicides against pests for the first time. Stopmyasis containing Géraniol and PMD is the drug of choice as an ecofriendly product to prevent blow fly strikes through correct diagnosis and prompt treatment preventing a disastrous and destructive course of the disease and improving quality of life.

The distribution of false stable fly, Muscina stabulans (Harris)(Diptera: Muscidae) is worldwide. Control of M. stabulans has been seldom done; therefore, this study investigated some biological aspects post treatment of four essential oils through ingestion and contact bioassays against the 3rd larval instars of M. stabulans. Post treatment (PT) with 50%, the mortality% of larvae, pupae, both larvae and pupae, and adults reached 83.33, 73.33, 95.56, and 100%, respectively, for Apium graveolens (celery); 73.33, 75.00, 93.33, and 100.00%, respectively, for Eruca sativa (ruca);80.00, 100.00, 100.00, and 100.00%, respectively, for Lactuca sativa (lettuce); and 63.33, 81.82, 93.33, and 90.00%, respectively, for Raphanus sativus (radish).The pupation and adult emergence rates PT with 50%, and LC50 values were 4.44, 0.00, and 21.743%; 6.67, 0.00, and 24.786%; 0.00, 0.00, and 20.909%; and 6.67, 10.00, and 31.826%, respectively. On the other hand, their toxicity indices reached 96, 84, 100, and 66%, respectively. This study indicated that L. sativa was the most effective oil, followed by A. graveolens and E. sativa; whereas R. sativus was the least effective oil. To conclude, essential oils could be used as ecofriendly fly management in organic farming and in places where conventional insecticides could not be applied. The false stable fly, Muscina stabulans (Diptera: Muscidae) is a cosmopolitan fly with a worldwide distribution and has medical and forensic importance in acting as a mechanical disease vector and intestinal myiasis producing fly. Control of M. stabulans is very rare; therefore, this study investigated some biological aspects post treatment of four essential oils through ingestion and contact bioassays against the 3rd larval instars of M. stabulans. After treatment with 50%, the mortality% of larvae, pupae, larvae and pupae, and adults reached 83.33, 73.33, 95.56, and 100%, respectively for Apium graveolens (celery); 73.33, 75.00, 93.33, and 100.00%, respectively, for Eruca sativa (ruca); 80.00, 100.00, 100.00, and 100.00%, respectively, for Lactuca sativa (lettuce ); and 63.33, 81.82, 93.33, and 90.00%, respectively, for Raphanus sativus (radish).The pupation and adult emergence rates, as well as LC50 values were 4.44, 0.00, and 21.743%; 6.67, 0.00, and 24.786%; 0.00, 0.00, and 20.909%; and 6.67, 10.00, and 31.826%, respectively. On the other hand, their toxicity indices reached 96, 84, 100, and 66%, respectively. This study indicated that L. sativa was the most effective oil, followed by A. graveolens and E. sativa; whereas R. sativus was the least effective oil. To conclude, essential oils could be used as ecofriendly fly management in organic farming and in places where conventional insecticides could not be applied.

Culex pipiens is an important vector in Egypt. The tolerance levels of insect growth regulators (IGRs) on 4thinstar larvae of Cx. pipiens collected from the Faqous region, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, and their biochemicalcharacterization were determined. The data indicated that LC50 values post-treatment (PT) of the field strain withdiflubenzuron, novaluron, and lufenuron were 0.08, 0.60, and 0.16 μg/ml, respectively. Whereas the corresponding valuesfor the laboratory strain were 0.07, 0.16, and 0.02 μg/ml, respectively. The relative tolerances of the field strain reached 1.14(low), 3.75 (medium), and 8.00 (high) folds, respectively, when compared to the laboratory strain. The total proteinlevels in larvae treated with diflubenzuron, novaluron, and lufenuron and those of laboratory strain were 17.00, 20.00,27.33, and 13.33 mg/g b.wt, respectively, whereas such values for the target enzyme of acetylcholine esterase,AChE, were 210.00, 283.33, 310.00, and 225.00 AChBr/min./g.b. wt, respectively. Their effect on the detoxifyingenzymes reached 242.00, 386.67, 483.33, and 235.00 µ Meb min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively, for carboxylesterases;28.00, 35.67, 62.33, and 22.00 µmol min-1 mg-1 protein in case of glutathione- S- transferase; 560.00, 723.33,921.67, and 503.33 ηmol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively, for α – esterase; and 128.33, 151.67, 175.00, and131.67, ηmol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively, for β – esterase. The tolerance levels for the applied IGRs revealedthat the field strain from the Faqous region was highly tolerant to lufenuron, followed by novaluron, anddiflubenzeron; therefore, diflubenzeron is the IGR of choice to be applied in such area.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are important blood- feeding ectoparasites acting as vectors of serious diseases of humans and animals. The camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii is infesting camels and its control is very important for prevention of tick- borne diseases. This study evaluated the adulticidal toxicity of olive oil against H. dromedarii males and engorged females using the adult immersion test. Mortalities, the number of hatched eggs, hatchability%, weight of engorged females, and egg weight were recorded. The morality% of olive oils against male H. dormidarii 12 and 15 days post treatments (PT) reached 50 and 83.33%, respectively. Its lethal concentrations (LC) values were calculated (LC50 and LC95 values PT for 12 days were 12.715 and 46.386%, respectively). The lethal time (LT) values after treatment with 25% against males were calculated (LT50 and LT99= 5.161 and 22.007 days, respectively). Olive oil adversely affected the reproductive potential of H. dromedarii engorged females as 25% PT, the number of hatched eggs, hatchability%, weight of engorged females, and egg weight were 2.83±2.31, 32.7, 52.50±2.88 g, and 0.27±0.27 g, respectively. It is recommended to apply olive oil as a safe control tool against H. dormidarii and it could be implemented in integrated- tick control strategies.