Lethal and sub-lethal effects of two botanical nano-insecticides against Liposcelis bostrychophila

Psocids represent a serious pest species in stored products due to their small size and widespread resistance to conventional insecticides. Essential oils (EOs) are promising pest control tools, despite some drawbacks that limit their use under real operating contexts. In response to these challenges, in the last decade, the use of nanotechnology has enhanced EO applications as insecticides. In this context, this study aimed to develop Syzygium aromaticum L. (Clove) and Mentha piperita L. (Mint) EO-nano-emulsions (EO-NEs) with a low amount of co-formulants using the high-pressure microfluidization technique, assessing lethal and sub-lethal effects against Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) showed eugenol (76.2%) and menthol (26.69%) as major compounds in clove and mint EOs, respectively. The Dynamic Light Scattering analysis (DLS) revealed excellent physical properties for both EO-NEs with particle sizes ranging in the nanoscale (