Sustainable Potential of Piper Essential Oils Against Agricultural Pests of the Order Lepidoptera: A Review

Lepidopteran pests cause severe global economic damage; they are currently mitigated by synthetic pesticides that trigger widespread resistance and environmental toxicity. This systematic review evaluates the potential of Piper essential oils (EOs) as high-performance, sustainable bio-based insecticides, aligning with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Analyzing studies covering Piper species, we identified phenylpropanoids (e.g., dillapiole and safrole) and terpenoids as key biodegradable scaffolds for pest management. The results highlight P. aduncum and P. divaricatum for their exceptional efficacy against Spodoptera frugiperda and Plutella xylostella, often exhibiting toxicity levels comparable to botanical standards like azadirachtin. Crucially, this review reveals that Piper EOs can outperform the synthetic industrial synergist piperonyl butoxide (BPO), with natural binary mixtures enhancing insecticidal potency by up to 11-fold. Furthermore, specific EOs contribute to a preventative green strategy by causing the structural disintegration of the egg chorion. By focusing on renewable biomass and design for degradation (Principles 7 and 10), this work anchors the Piper genus as a cornerstone for the circular bioeconomy and sustainable agricultural innovation, reducing the chemical footprint of modern crop protection.