Author Description

Botanical pesticides and specifically essential oils have gained popularity as novel, safe pesticides to replace the traditional synthetic products. They are well known to act throughout different modes-of-action against insects causing different neurotoxic effects ranging from repellency to toxicity. Essential oils are proposed as a novel solution against Leiodes cinnamomeus, the most damaging pest in truffle (Tuber melanosporum) cultivation, for which there is no solution available, to this day, despite the efforts made to protect this strategic crop. While essential oils are botanical extracts of low yield, a steady industrial production of oils is feasible to develop green alternatives, as demonstrated by several other industries. Efforts are being made to develop newer formulations to enhance and extend the effectiveness and persistency of essential oils in field, but a proper legal framework is yet to be established.