Essential Oil-Based Nano-Biopesticides: Formulation and Bioactivity against the Confused Flour Beetle Tribolium confusum

Post-harvest pest control can rely on few approved pesticides and tools; hence, there is a rising interest in new sustainable, eco-friendly approaches. In this study, eight commercial essential oils (EOs) (anise Pimpinella anisum, artemisia Artemisia vulgaris, fennel Foenicum vulgare, garlic Allium sativum, lavender Lavandula angustifolia, mint Mentha piperita, rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, sage Salvia officinalis) were selected for their bioactivity availability, then formulated nano-emulsions. Repellency acute toxicity of the developed nano-formulations tested against key stored product pest, Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). All nano-emulsions presented optimal physical characteristics (droplet dimension = 95.01–144.30 nm; PDI 0.146–0.248). formulations repellent over time adult beetles, area preference bioassays. The best was anise EO-based formulation (RC50 0.033 mg). Mortality values from cold aerosol trials showed that majority EOs caused immediate toxicity, EO nano-emulsion highest mortality T. adults (LC50 0.486 mg/L air). nano-insecticides, used as gel, are promising methods pests, which be integrated combined with other sustainable biorational