1 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Guilan, Rasht, 41335 Iran * Corresponding author: E-mail: jjalali@guilan.ac.ir, asgar.ebadollahi@gmail.com 5 Biological Activities of Essential Oils on Insects JALAL JALALI SENDI 1 * AND ASGAR EBADOLLAHI 1 * ABSTRACT Synthetic pesticides have been considered the most effective and accessible means to control insect pests. However, there is a global concern about synthetic insecticides negative impact on ozone, environmental pollution, toxicity to non-target organisms, and pesticidal residues. The adverse effects of synthetic pesticides have amplified the need for effective and biodegradable pesticides. Essential oils and their constituents have been considered as natural agents against insect pests. Essential oils are renewable, non-persistent in the environment and relatively safe to non-target organisms and humans. This chapter discusses the insecticidal, feeding deterrence, repellency, oviposition and progeny production, growth inhibition and even attractant activities of these compounds to a wide range of insect pests. Results demonstrated that essential oils and their main components could be applicable to the management of insect pests to decrease ecologically detrimental effects of synthetic insecticides. Key words: Essential oils, Antifeedant, Repellant, Oviposition deterrence, Insect pests Click here to buy A B B Y Y P D F T r a n s f o r m e r 2 . 0 w w w . A B B Y Y . c o m Click here to buy A B B Y Y P D F T r a n s f o r m e r 2 . 0 w w w . A B B Y Y . c o m