Plant-based Repellents as Potential Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797): A Review

Abstract

The widespread application of synthetic pesticides has elicited significant concerns regarding environmental degradation, pest tolerance, and potential threats to human health, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable and effective alternatives. Tribolium castaneum, a detrimental pest of stored grains, contributes to significant spoilage after harvest and poses a direct threat to total food supply. This review examines plant-based repellents as environmentally friendly and effective alternatives to synthetic pesticides for controlling T. castaneum infestations. Numerous reports have demonstrated that essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts exhibit strong repellent and insecticidal properties with minimal environmental impact. Notably, EOs derived from Coriandrum sativum, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon winterianus, Mentha pulegium, Murraya koenigii, Piper nigrum, and Syzygium aromaticum have been shown to effectively repel T. castaneum. Furthermore, neem oil and lemongrass EO not only disrupt pest behaviour, but also offer extended agricultural applications owing to their broad-spectrum bioactivity. These natural products operate through various mechanisms such as disrupting the olfactory responses of insects and affecting feeding and reproduction. This underscores the potential of integrating plant-based repellents into pest management programs to reduce the need for unsafe chemicals. Such an approach supports safer food storage practices, preserves the ecological balance, and promotes sustainable agricultural systems.