Plants that defend plants from mites using botanical oils

Abstract

Mites are small arachnids that, despite their tiny size, cause serious damage to plants. They feed on the contents of mesophyll cells and can multiply in just a few days, affecting the leaves until they dry out and even causing the death of the plant. Historically, mite control has been carried out with chemical pesticides, but that has environmental consequences. Currently, cleaner options are being sought; botanical oils can be an alternative, since plants such as oregano or eucalyptus produce compounds that repel or affect mites with low environmental impact. In addition, when using botanical oils, the effect on beneficial insects is generally lower compared to synthetic pesticides. Although they are not a magical solution, oils can be part of integrated pest management, since the plants themselves hold the key to their defense; thus, we must keep learning from them.