A method for controlling insect pests of plants is disclosed, which comprises treating a plant suffering from an infestation of insect pests or a plant prone to such infestations with an extract from Clitoria ternatea in a solvent selected from the group consisting of polar organic solvents, lower hydrocarbon solvents and low molecular weight oils (preferably the solvent is methanol or ethanol), said extract comprises secondary plant compounds (SPCs) derived from Clitoria teraatea plant material preferably at a pre-flower stage (comprising no flowers or pods) by contact with canola oil, which have insecticidal activity and/or which repel the insect pest and/or deter the insect pest from laying eggs and/or influence the position of egg laying and/or deter the insect pest from feeding on a plant, wherein the composition optionally comprises a carrier.
