• Trans-2-dodecenol had no effect on behavior of Paederus fuscipes. • Trans-2-dodecenol showed high repellence against Nilaparvata lugens. • Trans-2-dodecenol had high attraction for Cyrtorhinus lividipennis. Plant essential oils (EOs) and a wide range of chemicals affect insect pests in many ways, such as via stimulatory, deterrent, toxic and hormonal effects. Three different compounds ((E)-β-caryophyllene (E-β-C), D-limonene (D-lime) and trans-2-dodecenol (T-2-D)) were tested against Nilaparvata lugens , Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and Paederus fuscipes , and their behavioral response was assessed. The results showed that on average, more N. lugens nymphs were repelled by E-β-C and T-2-D than by D-lime. More C. lividipennis nymphs were attracted to T-2-D and D-lime than to E-β-C. However, P. fuscipes displayed no significant response to the three chemical compounds. The results also demonstrated that T-2-D has exerted significant repellency against N. lugens and a significant attraction for C. lividipennis , while E-β-C and D-lime have no significant effect on any tested insect. T-2-D was selected and tested in a greenhouse under semi-field conditions, where the observations confirmed the results of the laboratory experiments. From the results, it can be concluded that T-2-D at a concentration of 0.06 g/L is an effective synthetic volatile chemical compound and is the strongest repellent of N. lugens and the strongest attractant for C. lividipennis. This synthetic chemical compound can be used as a pest management tool in rice agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]