Journal of Environmental Biology

Unlocking the potential of semiochemicals: A comprehensive review of their current developments and future prospects in sustainable pest management

S. Saravanan^1,2, P.S. Shanmugam¹*, K. Subaharan², M. Murugan¹, T. Srinivasan¹, T. Elaiyabharathi¹, S. Vellaikumar³, S. Pavithran¹ and M. Alagar¹     

¹Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

²Division of Germplasm Conservation and Utilisation, ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru-560 024, India

³Department of Plant Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India

Received: 20 January 2025                   Revised: 15 March 2025                   Accepted: 23 July 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : shanmugam.ps@tnau.ac.in                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9263-2133

Abstract

Semiochemicals are important components of insect plant dynamics. They are an integral component of integrated pest management. Based on the inter organismal communication these are categorized as pheromones or allelochemicals. Chemical signals from the plants are the prime factors that influence the host selection, feeding behaviour and reproduction.

The volatiles from the trap, inter and border crops have behavioural influence on the insects feeding on the main crop. This behavioural change benefits the main crop. The semiochemical based pest management methods are ecofriendly and reduce the chemical insecticide use. They either repel the insect pests or attract natural enemies of the crop pests. The improved delivery system and correct placement are the important factors which enhances the efficacy of semiochemicals in the field. The recent advancements in semiochemicals used in the pest management and the way forward are discussed in this review.

Key words: Allelochemicals, Attractants, Integrated Pest Management, Pheromone, Repellents

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