Plant essential oils, with their rapid breakdown, low toxicity, and environmental safety, serve as a promising natural alternative for pest control. This study investigates the insecticidal potential of Eucalyptus and Zataria essential oils against Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The oils were extracted by water distillation using a Clevenger device, and bioassay tests were performed on adult specimens at different concentrations. Probit analysis determined the LC50 and LC90 values for eucalyptus oil at 4699 ppm and 37106 ppm, respectively, while for thyme oil, these values were 11944 ppm and 45620 ppm. These findings indicate that eucalyptus oil has a stronger toxic effect and higher mortality rate than thyme oil. The peak mortality rate occurred at 20,000 ppm for eucalyptus and 24,000 ppm for thyme. Since the LD50 values for both essential oils are lower than synthetic insecticides, and resistance to chemical treatments continues to grow, these plant-based alternatives could serve as effective substitutes for conventional pest control solutions.
