Aromatic plant–insect dynamics: molecular insights for advancing pest control strategies

Abstract Aromatic plants provide important benefits to both ecosystems and humans, ranging from direct health effects, such as antimicrobial and mood-soothing properties, to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with insecticidal or repellent potential. Insects interact with these compounds through physiological and behavioral mechanisms, either being attracted or repelled. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions are not completely understood. For example, while insects detect environmental chemical signals through their olfactory system, activated by plant-derived semiochemicals that mediate plant–insect interactions, the precise receptor binding and downstream signaling pathways are still being investigated. The insect olfactory system comprises key proteins, such as odorant binding proteins (OBPs), odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs), which mediate odorant detection and influence behaviors critical for pest control. Resistance to control agents poses major challenges, including increased costs and environmental risks from excessive or inappropriate insecticide use. This review explores the molecular interactions between insects and aromatic plants, emphasizing the roles of proteins and compounds involved, as well as the internal dynamics of semiochemicals within insects. Understanding these processes can inform the design of more effective pest control strategies and promote sustainable agriculture. Future studies should elucidate the molecular interactions between VOCs and insect olfactory proteins and explore the potential of synthetic semiochemicals in pest management. This review integrates recent findings in insect molecular olfaction with their implications for sustainable pest control, offering a novel and interdisciplinary perspective for applied research and innovation.