
doi: 10.5772/16550
Some concerns, especially environmental ones, lead the researchers to find new avenues of insect control in agriculture. Considering negative effects of synthetic pesticides especially on non-target organisms caused a general perception that natural compounds are better products or Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) (Scott et al., 2003). So, researches has been concentrated on the plant kingdom for solutions leading to the production of a myriad of secondary compounds that can have toxic, growth reducing, and antifeedant properties against insects (Berenbaum & Zangerl, 1996). The use of plant extracts (botanical insecticides) to protect crops and stored products is as old as crop protection. Indeed, prior to the development and commercial success of synthetic insecticides beginning in the 1940s, botanical insecticides were major weapons in the farmer’s arsenal against crop pests (Isman, 2008). Four major types of botanical insecticides are being used for insect control including pyrethrum, rotenone, neem, and essential oils along with three others in limited use (Isman, 2006). Pyrethrum is an oleoresin extracted from the dried flowers of the pyrethrum daisy, Tanacetum cinerariaefolium (Asteraceae) that its active ingredients are three esters of chrysanthemic acid and three esters of pyrethric acid (Isman, 2006). The insecticidal action of the pyrethrins is characterized by a rapid knockdown effect, particularly in flying insects, and hyperactivity and convulsions in most insects. These symptoms are the result of the neurotoxic action of the pyrethrins, which block voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve axons. Azadirachtin is an extraction from Indian neem tree, Azadirachta indicahas that has two profound effects on insects (Schmutter, 2002). Azadirachtin, apart from its antifeedant effects on insects, inhibited the synthesis and release of ecdysteroids from the prothoracic gland resulting incomplete ecdysis in immature insects and sterility in adult females (Isman, 2006). Rotenone is a type of isoflavonoids extracted from the roots or rhizomes of the tropical legumes like Derris, Lonchocarpus, and Tephrosia (Isman, 2006). Rotenone is a mitochondrial poison by blocking the electron transport chain leading to inhibition of energy production (Hollingworth et al., 1994). Acetogenin extracts from seeds of Annona squamosa known as annonin I, or squamocin, and a similar compound, asimicin were isolated from the bark of the American pawpaw tree, Asimina triloba (Johnson et al., 2000). Although, there are many plant extracts widely use against insects but here one of them, Artemisia, is discussed. The genus Artemisia is a member of a large plant family Asteracea
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