TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - From the Pint to the Plant: Can Hop Essential Oils Outsmart the Two-Spotted Spider Mite?
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 84
EP  - 84
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Sauro, Simoni
AU  - Valentina, Macchioni
AU  - Silvia, Guidi
AU  - Donatella, Goggioli
AU  - Cosma, Orlandi
AU  - Stefano, Rispoli
AU  - Chiara, Vagaggini
AU  - Elisabetta, Gargani
AU  - Katya, Carbone
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/ijun-dg06
DO  - 10.24349/ijun-dg06
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Hop
KW  - GC-MS Analysis
KW  - Terpenoids
KW  - Acaricidal Activity
KW  - Tetranychus urticae
AB  - 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.
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