Plants, due to their coevolutionary history with pests, are
sources of natural insecticides and antimicrobial chemicals
compounds that are produced to defend themselves against
those organisms. Many plants are rich in secondary compounds
with insecticidal activities, especially monoterpenes
and their analogues, which are abundant in essential oils of
higher plants. These compounds are typically lipophylic, with
potential for toxic interference in basic biochemical processes
with physiological and behavioral consequences for the insects
(Prates & Santos 2002).