---

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the parasitoids which is used against various lepidopteran insect pests in Iran. Due to extensive application of chemical pesticides in farms, studying their side effects on natural enemies is necessary in order to evaluate their probable detrimental effects, in case of application in IPM programs. In this study, side-effects of two prevalent insecticides, flubendiamide and azadirachtin, on functional response of H. hebetor to different densities of 5th instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were evaluated in laboratory conditions. Host densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 were exposed to randomly selected treated females of H. hebetor in Petri dishes. Ten replications were considered for each host density. The control was treated with water. The results revealed a type ΙΙ response for all treatments. This study showed that flubendiamide and azadirachtin had the lowest (0.269h) and highest values (1.822h) of handling times, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest values of searching efficiency were observed in the flubendiamide (0.188h–1) and azadirachtin (0.0396 h–1) treated wasps, respectively. According to the results of the study, flubendiamide may be more compatible with biological control agent in IPM programs.

---

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest of canola that can considerably limit crop production through direct or indirect damage. In this study, the effects of Azadirachtin, Tondexir, Palizin, and Thiamethoxam, common insecticides used in managing the cabbage aphid, were investigated on the population growth parameters of this pest. Based on the results, the LC₅₀ values for Thiamethoxam, Palizin, Azadirachtin, and Tondexir were 0.19, 0.63, 1.00, and 3.82 g/L, respectively. Moreover, LC₃₀ concentrations of Thiamethoxam, Palizin, Azadirachtin, and Tondexir were 0.11, 0.10, 0.41, and 1.68 g/L, respectively, applied in the sublethal studies. The cabbage aphids reared on the plants treated with these insecticides had lower longevity, fecundity, and reproductive period than the control treatment. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀), and generation time (T) were lower on Thiamethoxam treatment. Tondexir and Palizin treatments had lower values than Azadirachtin. However, there was no significant difference between the Tondexir and Palizin treatments. The population treated by Azadirachtin had the highest values of growth parameters. According to the results and available information in the context of risk assessment of the studied insecticides, this research recommends the application of Thiamethoxam in the integrated pest management of cabbage aphid.

---

The study investigated the toxicity of Parthenium extracts in comparison with Neem extracts against 3^rd and 4^th instar larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L.. The side effect of Parthenium extracts was also examined against larval parasitoid, Cotesia plutellae. Extracts obtained from their respective plants were dissolved independently to get stock solutions, which were further diluted to different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) with distilled water. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with four treatments, including the control, and replicated six times in vitro. Results showed that Parthenium crude extracts was very effective in comparison with the control against P. xylostella, whilst the highest mortality was recorded at 3% concentration of Neem in comparison with Parthenium extracts against both stages of P. xylostella. Overall, the highest mortality was recorded at 3% concentration of Neem extracts followed by 2% Neem extracts, 3% Parthenium extracts, 1% neem, 2% and 1% Parthenium extracts. The lowest mortality was noted in the control (i.e. 70%, 58.33%, 51.67%, 35%, 33.33%, 18.33% and 16.67% in case of 3^rd instar mortality whilst 61.67%, 50%, 41.67%, 30%, 16.67% and 15% in case of 4^th instar mortality, respectively). Less harmful effect was observed for larval parasitoid, C. plutellae. Finally, it was concluded that all the treatments had the ability to control P. xylostella to some extent, but Parthenium crude extract was less efficient in comparison with Neem extract, as 3% crude extract of Neem had a sufficiently toxic effect on the P. xylostella.
 

---

The control of different agricultural insect pests still relies mainly on the use of synthetic insecticides. However, excessive use of these chemicals cause many problems, including high residue levels, harmful effects on the environment and human health, and development of insect resistance. Therefore, new strategies for the management of agricultural insects are urgently needed. Plant-based natural products are promising alternatives to be applied for pest control, with remarkable and broad-spectrum biological activities. Among the plant secondary metabolites, essential oils, and their major constituents, mainly monoterpenes, have been widely studied for their application in insect control, food additives, perfumes and cosmetics. In this review, we focus on the studies describing the toxic effects of monoterpenes, including fumigant, contact and residual toxicities against insect pests attacking economic crops in fields. Furthermore, the effects of monoterpenes on insect behaviors (antifeedant and repellent activities) and insect growth regulation are also discussed.