Historically, the control of stored-product insects has mostly relied on the use of fumigants such as methyl bromide (MB) and phosphine. However, methyl bromide is no longer used for structural fumigations, and phosphine insecticide resistance is rising globally. Methyl benzoate (MBe) is a new green pesticide that occurs naturally as a metabolite in plants. In this study, we evaluated the the potential use of MBe as a fumigant against a variety of stored-product insects. According to our laboratory findings, MBe showed strong fumigation toxicity against the Indian meal moth and flat grain beetle with an LC50 value of 0.1 μL/L and 0.76 μL/1.5 L air, respectively, compared to the other tested insects. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in susceptibility levels between the lab strain and the phosphine-resistant lesser grain borer and rice weevil. However, the red flour beetle had the highest LC50 value of 8.26 μL/1.5 L air. Overall, MBe seems to be a highly promising candidate for the development of environmentally-friendly alternative fumigants.

Naturally occurring plant toxins, such as benzoates, have been shown to have insecticidal effects on some pest insects. In this study three commercially available benzoates, methyl benzoate (MB), ethyl benzoate (EB), and vinyl benzoate (VB), were assessed for their contact toxicity against Aphis gossypii Glover and its lacewing predator Chrysoperla carnea Stephens. Toxicity of 1% MB, EB, and VB showed 100%, 85% and 60% mortality of A. gossypii at 24 h. In addition, a mixture of MB and EB showed higher synergistic effect than mixtures of MB+VB or EB+VB against A. gossypii. Toxicity at 1% concentration of three benzoates against A. gossypii showed lower toxicity against the larvae of C. carnea after 72 h of exposure than A. gossypii. Our result suggest that benzoates have high potential as environmentally safe biopesticides for A. gossypii control.

Methyl benzoate (MB) is a natural compound in many plants and shows insecticidal toxicity against various insect pests. We determined contact, fumigant, and repellent activities of MB against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci and the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Complete contact mortality was obtained by 4% MB. Contact mortality at 2% MB into eggs, 4th instar nymphs and adults were 69.4%, 91.6% and 80%, respectively. Fumigation of 2% MB killed 95% of adults. In addition, treatment of 4% MB repelled 60% adults. There was no significant different between two species. Our results suggest that MB has high potential as an natural pesticide for sustainable pest management in crop production.