Plant-Derived Bioinsecticides: Mechanisms of Action and Pest Control Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Insects that damage crops and stored agricultural products represent a major global challenge, threatening food security, biodiversity, and economic stability. Conventional synthetic insecticides, while effective, have raised concerns due to their environmental persistence, resistance development, and adverse effects on beneficial and non-target organisms.

In this context, plant-derived insecticides have emerged as promising alternatives for sustainable crop protection. These natural products, from crude extracts to purified secondary metabolites, display remarkable chemical diversity and can modulate multiple physiological processes in phytophagous insects, including neural transmission, digestion, reproduction, and behavior. Their biodegradability and selectivity make them attractive tools for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), offering new opportunities to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals.

This Special Issue of Plants welcomes original research articles, reviews, and case studies focused on the discovery, characterization, mechanisms of action, and application of plant-based insecticides against agricultural pests. Studies addressing aspects such as formulation, field performance, synergistic interactions, crop safety, and ecological compatibility are particularly encouraged. By gathering recent advances in this area, this Special Issue aims to promote innovation in botanical insecticide research and support the development of environmentally responsible strategies for crop protection.

Dr. Emmanuel Viana Pontual
Dr. Nataly Diniz de Lima Santos
Guest Editors

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