Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
February 2023
Natural biological control is a key factor that ensures the regulation of insect pest populations in agroecosystems. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has compromised this environmental service. Thus, the search for environmentally safe pesticides is an increasing requirement for sustainable food production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcotoxicol Environ Saf
February 2021
Leaf-cutting ants have great potential for damage to agricultural and forest crops. Although chemical control is the most used method for the management of this pest, more friendly alternative methods have been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal and antifungal potential of essential oils obtained from Aristolochia trilobata, as well as the potential of two chemotypes of Myrcia lundiana and their major compounds (isopulegol and citral) on Acromyrmex balzani and its symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe process of urbanization of natural environments has dramatically increased the incidence of pest insects. To control these organisms in urban environments, the last decades have been marked by an increase in the use of synthetic insecticides. However, the intensive and indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides has provoked a series of environmental problems and human health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe recent decline of Apis mellifera populations around the world has been subject of intense research due to ecological and economic damages resulting from the loss of pollination services. The intensive use of insecticides from the neonicotinoids group is among the possible causal factors of this decline, including also sub-lethal effects. However, the use of synthetic insecticides has been increased on a global scale in the recent decades.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants of the genus have been frequently reported as important medicinal plants. Despite their high bioactive potential, to date, there are no reports of their effects on leaf-cutting ants. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of and its major components on and , two species of leaf-cutting ants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF