6533b7cffe1ef96bd1258633

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of ajugarins and related neoclerodane diterpenoids on feeding behaviour of Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Spodoptera exigua larvae

subject

description

Three naturally occurring ajugarins and seven semisynthetic derivatives of them, possessing different functionalities in the decalin part, together with two natural furoneoclerodane diterpenes, have been assessed as feeding behavior modifying agents of larvae of the generalist Spodoptera exigua and a specialist like Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Ajugarin I and some of its derivatives exhibited a significant antifeedant activity against larvae of S. exigua in both choice and no-choice assays. Conversely, the furoneoclerodane diterpenes only presented antifeedant activity against larvae of L. decemlineata. These results indicate that the biological action of the tested substances is strongly modulated by minimal structural variations, which are also responsible for the specificity of action.