author(s)
Ravi Y, NK Meena and G Lal

abstract
In present scenario of agriculture, the methods to manage the insect-pest and diseases are mainly based on the use of synthetics or chemicals pesticides, resulting various hazards i,e. development of insect resistance to particular product, pest outbreak, environmental pollution, pesticidal residue, toxicity to plants, human being and non-target organisms along with high operational cost. These circumstances have created the need for developing alternative approaches to control insect pest and diseases. Furthermore, the demand of organic products, especially fruits and vegetables for the fresh market has greatly increased worldwide. Keeping above in view, essential oils from spices and their derivatives could be an alternative source for insect pest control in the field as well as storage, because they constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals, are commonly used as flavoring agents in different cuisines. In the last few years, more studies on the insecticidal properties of essential oils from spices and spice derivatives have been published and it seemed worthwhile to compile them. The focus of this review lies on the lethal (Ovicidal, larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal) and sub-lethal (antifeedant, repellent, oviposition deterrent and growth inhibitor in progeny) activities of essential oils and their main components from spices and their uses as bio-pesticides. These features indicate that plant protection chemicals from spice crops could be used in a variety of ways to control a large number of insect- pests and diseases. It can be concluded that essential oils and phyto-chemicals isolates from different spices may be efficacious and safe replacements for conventional synthetic insecticides.