Share this article    

              

       

From the Pint to the Plant: Can Hop Essential Oils Outsmart the Two-Spotted Spider Mite?

Sauro, Simoni ; Valentina, Macchioni ; Silvia, Guidi ; Donatella, Goggioli ; Cosma, Orlandi ; Stefano, Rispoli ; Chiara, Vagaggini ; Elisabetta, Gargani and Katya, Carbone


2026 - Volume: 66 Issue: Suppl pages: 84

https://doi.org/10.24349/ijun-dg06

ICA 2026 - XVII International Congress of Acarology, 20-24 July 2026, Montpellier

Keywords

Hop GC-MS Analysis Terpenoids Acaricidal Activity Tetranychus urticae

Abstract

The evaluation of hop essential oil (Humulus lupulus L.) as a control agent against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) may be an efficient tool for the future of sustainable crop management. As a cornerstone of the brewing industry, the cultivation of hops has surged globally, yet this expansion is shadowed by the widespread pressure of T. urticae, one of the most important arthropod pests in modern agriculture. Its status as a “super- pest” stem from its extreme polyphagy and biological makeup that favors the rapid development of pesticide resistance. With high fecundity and short generation time, TSSM populations can bypass conventional chemical treatments almost as quickly as they are deployed. This evolutionary agility has rendered many traditional acaricides ineffective, creating a need for innovative, eco-friendly alternatives. While famously prized for their antiseptic and aromatic qualities in beer, the terpenoids within hop essential oils - specifically, caryophyllene, humulene, and myrcene - serve a much more aggressive biological purpose. These volatile compounds act as the plant’s natural defense mechanism. The GC-MS analysis of hop essential oil here tested identified 76 volatile compounds, primarily terpenoids such as -myrcene, humulene, and caryophyllene, consistent with previous profiles of Italian-grown varieties. These specific components are significant because research on other botanical oils suggests they possess potent acaricidal and repellent properties against pests like spider mites. While oil showed lower toxicity than other hop varieties in past mite studies, this research marks the first time H. lupulus EO has been specifically tested for its efficacy against spider mites. The trials carried out the CREA facilities, focusing on the bio-activity of H. lupulus extracts, have yielded significant results, showcasing a clear correlation between oil concentration and mite fatality. By leveraging the same chemical families found in effective botanicals like mint or lavender, hop essential oil stands out as a high-potency, low-persistence solution. Current toxicological assessments have demonstrated significant mortality (from 60 to 100% at different oil concentrations) rates in T. urticae when exposed to these extracts. From the study it is possible to hypothesize repellent and antifeedant effects when oil is administered at sub- lethal concentrations: the oil acts as a powerful deterrent, reducing the mite’s ability to feed and colonize the host plant. By perspective it may be considered a synergistic potential as the oil contains a complex blend of compounds, making harder for the mite to develop simultaneous resistance.

Comments
Please read and follow the instructions to post any comment or correction.

Article editorial history
Date published:
2026-07-20

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
2026 Sauro, Simoni; Valentina, Macchioni; Silvia, Guidi; Donatella, Goggioli; Cosma, Orlandi; Stefano, Rispoli; Chiara, Vagaggini; Elisabetta, Gargani and Katya, Carbone
Downloads
 Download article

Download the citation
RIS with abstract 
(Zotero, Endnote, Reference Manager, ProCite, RefWorks, Mendeley)
RIS without abstract 
BIB 
(Zotero, BibTeX)
TXT 
(PubMed, Txt)
Article metrics

Dimensions

Cited by: view citations with

Search via ReFindit