Abstract
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) is considered as the most harmful pulse beetle attacking stored grains. Since synthetic pesticides have numerous disadvantages to human health and to the environment, essential oils (EOs) as a natural alternative can provide great efficiency against this pest. This review provides an outlook on published research and reports about the use of EOs against C. maculatus. The physiological aspects of C. maculatus, its life cycle and the grains host of this species were discussed. Moreover, the mechanism of action of EOs and the methods used to evaluate their insecticidal effect were also highlighted in this review. Medicinal plants have been used for their insecticidal activity and for pests' management since ancient times, and nicotine was reported as the first insecticide from plants. The results revealed that the EOs from 121 species belonging to 26 family possess insecticidal effects against C. maculatus, with Lamiaceae (30 species) and Asteraceae (22 species) as the most representative. The major EOs constituents reported in this review, are mostly from terpenoids and sesquiterpenoids classes. Inhalation/fumigant toxicity, contact toxicity and repellency test were the most frequent methods used for the insecticidal activity. EOs have an inhibitory action on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a role in the modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and an effect on octopaminergic receptors as main modes of actions.