Fuente: PubMed "essential OR oil extract" J Econ Entomol. 2026 Jun 21:toag157. doi: 10.1093/jee/toag157. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDevelopment of resistance and the accumulation of pesticide residues in food and the environment are the main obstacles to the overuse of synthetic insecticides. In this context, the insecticidal activity of environmentally sustainable and nontoxic essential oils (EO), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) evaluated against second and fourth instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and third instar of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry used to determine the chemical composition of the EO. After 24 h of exposure, the most larvicidal potency and developmental inhibition were achieved by clove, wherein the LC50s were 3.62% and 3.82% against second and fourth instars of S. littoralis, respectively, and 2.33% against S. frugiperda. Then followed by lemongrass with LC50 of 6.38 and 12.03% against the second and fourth instars of S. littoralis, respectively, while citronella showed LC50 of 4.76% against S. frugiperda. Biochemical assays indicated that AChE activity differed according to oil type and tested instar. GST and alpha-esterase activities were slightly inhibited in all treatments. The oils significantly inhibited amylase activity. Eucalyptus and lemongrass stimulated lipase activity, while clove and citronella oils demonstrated the lowest activity. Molecular docking studies illustrated the mode of action of the tested oils against S. littoralis and S. frugiperda. The EOs had significant insecticidal and biochemical effects against the examined lepidopterans; therefore, they may be used as a botanical alternative for controlling these pests.PMID:42323867 | DOI:10.1093/jee/toag157