Plant extracts and essential oils are considered alternatives to synthetic chemicals with toxic effects on insects and mites. Acaricidal, repellent, and oviposition effects of commercially available essential oils of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) (Myrtaceae) were investigated in this study on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), one of the main pests in agriculture, on two host plant species using leaf disc bioassays. O. vulgare essential oil showed higher toxicity to T. urticae protonymphs and adult females inhabiting both bean and tomato leaves than S. aromaticum essential oil. The LC₅₀ values of O. vulgare essential oil were found to be 1.67 and 2.05 µl L⁻¹ air for the bean populations in protonymphs and adult females and 1.87 and 3.07 µl L⁻¹ air for the tomato populations, respectively. Five percent concentration of S. aromaticum essential oil had the highest repellent effect on the bean population of T. urticae after 1, 24, and 48 h, resulting in 61.22%, 40.81%, and 18% repellence, respectively. Although O. vulgare showed higher toxic effects, S. aromaticum was a better repellent against the bean population of T. urticae. The mortality rates of adult females of T. urticae treated with either O. vulgare or S. aromaticum essential oil increased with the increasing concentration and time on both host plants. Both essential oils caused a decrease in egg number and larvae hatching in both bean and tomato populations of T. urticae. In the light of the results obtained, O. vulgare and S. aromatium essential oils have the potential to be used in the control programs against T. urticae in both host plants.

For many years, pesticides have been employed to manage pests that cause losses in agricultural yield and quality during storage. However, as the harmful effects of pesticides on non-target organisms became apparent, alternative approaches gained traction. Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs), commonly used in biological control, are now being considered for controlling Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). This study evaluated the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae TUR-S3 (Rhabditida: Steinernema) isolate at five different concentrations (3 Infective Juveniles (IJs)/cm2 (8 IJs/adult), 6 IJs/cm2 (17 IJs/adult), 9 IJs/cm2 (25 IJs/adult), 18 IJs/cm2 (50 IJs/adult), 27 IJs/cm2 (75 IJs/adult)) against adult O. surinamensis and T. confusum. The results indicated the highest mortality rate, reaching 83.33%, was achieved in both pests at a concentration of 27 IJs/cm2 (75 IJs/adult). This suggests promising potential for controlling O. surinamensis and T. confusum using this approach.

In agricultural production areas, various factors contribute to yield losses under pre-harvest and post harvest storage conditions. Among these factors, agricultural pests stand out as a primary concern. For many years, pesticides have been utilized as part of chemical control measures to control pest populations. However, the identification of the toxic effects of pesticides on non-target organisms and particularly, the residue problems affecting humans directly under storage conditions have led to restrictions on pesticide use. This has prompted the emergence of alternative pest control methods. This review focuses on recent studies related to potential control methods that have shown promising results as alternatives to pesticides in the management of Rhyzopertha dominica, a significant stored-product pest.