Investigation of the herbal biopesticide properties of different lectins and the contact toxicity and repellency effect of mentha piperita L. essential oil on the pest species halyomorpha halys (stal)

Known as the brown marmorated stink bug in Turkish, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest species that has rapidly spread worldwide in recent years, causing significant economic losses. Its high reproductive capacity, ability to damage plants in different developmental stages, and tolerance to various climatic conditions increase its impact. In addition to fruits such as hazelnut, apple, pear, peach, and apricot, it also inflicts serious damage on vegetable and cereal crops. Although chemical and biotechnical control methods offer short-term solutions, the adverse environmental effects of pesticides and their harm to non-target organisms highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. In this context, plant-derived compounds such as lectins and essential oils have attracted attention as eco-friendly biological control agents. In this study, the effects of lectins extracted from Ulex europaeus, Canavalia ensiformis, Wisteria floribunda, Phaseolus vulgaris, Triticum vulgaris, and Phytolacca americana on H. halys were evaluated. The lectins were found to increase total oxidation levels in insect hemolymph while significantly reducing the activity of digestive enzymes. Furthermore, the essential oil obtained from Mentha piperita L. exhibited both repellent and contact toxicity effects. The findings indicate that plant-based lectins and essential oils have strong potential as natural alternatives to chemical pesticides in the biological control of agricultural pests.