Semiochemicals: The future of pest management

Abstract

The Revolution of chemical pesticides in industry and agricultural production which began with the discovery of DDT insecticidal properties by Paul Hermann Muller in 1939 (Noble Prize in medicine 1948) started its decline (As a false revolution) in 1962 with the deceleration of Rachel Carson in her magnificent book " The Silent Spring " about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides on both the environment and human health. The true revolution – from the aspect of pest control – began in 1959 (20 years after the false one) with the discovery and identification of the first insect pheromone, Bombykol, the silkworm Bombyx mori sex – pheromone by Adolf Friedrich Johann Butenandt (The Noble Prize in Chemistry 1939, discovery of human female sex – hormones, estrone and other primary female sex hormones, received in 1949). Since then, Semiochemicals (especially pheromones and Kairomones) have been pointed out as the future tool of integrated pest management (IPM). By the beginning of the 21st century, the era of chemical pesticides started their end in the industry (Many pesticide companies closed or converted to Semiochemicals manufacturing) and agriculture production (Too many pesticides proved to be environmental pollutants), while the era of Semiochemicals has begun to take its role in human development and civilization, as a clean industry and clean pest management tools. Semiochemicals are very important to the whole world, to African countries and especially to The Nile Basin countries not only in industry and agricultural production, but in public health also, that is because of its multiple advantages which will be mentioned in this review.