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Laboratory evaluation of five novel pyrrole derivatives as grain protectants against Tribolium confusum and Ephestia kuehniella larvae

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An Erratum to this article was published on 01 December 2016

Abstract

Several naturally discovered or laboratory-synthesized pyrrole compounds have insecticidal, acaricidal and microbial properties. The novel sulfanyl 5H-dihydro-pyrrole derivatives exhibit certain antioxidant activities. However, there is a knowledge gap whether these substances are potent grain protectants against stored-product insect pest species. In this context, we evaluated the insecticidal activity of five novel pyrrole derivatives (under the trivial names 3a, 3g, 3l, 3m, 3h), against larvae of Tribolium confusum Jaquelin du Val and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller at different doses (0.1, 1 and 10 ppm), exposure intervals (7, 14 and 21 days or 1, 2, 7, 14, 21 days), temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C), relative humidity (RH) (55 and 75 %) levels and commodities (wheat, maize, barley). The pyrrole derivative 3a exhibited the highest insecticidal activity, while 3g, 3l, 3m and 3h caused similar mortality against larvae of T. confusum. Apart of the level of efficacy, all tested pyrrole derivatives performed similarly according temperature. We found that increase in temperature increased mortality in the majority of the tested combinations. Generally, the pyrrole derivatives caused the highest mortality levels at 30 °C. The pyrrole derivatives 3a, 3g, 3l and 3m were affected by relative humidity at almost all combinations tested. The 75 % level of RH moderated the efficacy of the pyrrole derivatives, while the 55 % enhanced it. Mortality of T. confusum and E. kuehniella on maize was much lower on treated maize than barley or wheat. However, 100 % control of both species was recorded only on treated barley. The results of the present study indicate that the pyrrole derivatives tested could serve as grain protectants against noxious stored-product insects under certain biotic and abiotic conditions.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank D. Markoyiannaki Printziou for her technical assistance.

Funding

This study was partially supported by the scholarship “Athanassios Sotiroudas” provided by the Hellenic Entomological Society. Funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos str., 11855, Athens, Attica, Greece

    Maria C. Boukouvala & Nickolas G. Kavallieratos

  2. Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology, Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta str., 14561, Kifissia, Attica, Greece

    Maria C. Boukouvala

  3. Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Panepistimioupolis, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Maria C. Boukouvala, Lazaros P. Hadjiarapoglou & Yiannis Elemes

  4. Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Phytokou str., 38446, Nea Ionia, Magnesia, Greece

    Christos G. Athanassiou

  5. School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, North Engineering Building, N206, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Dusan Losic

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  1. Maria C. Boukouvala
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  2. Nickolas G. Kavallieratos
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Correspondence to Nickolas G. Kavallieratos.

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Communicated by M. Traugott.

Yiannis Elemes: Deceased.

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10340-016-0818-8.

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Boukouvala, M.C., Kavallieratos, N.G., Athanassiou, C.G. et al. Laboratory evaluation of five novel pyrrole derivatives as grain protectants against Tribolium confusum and Ephestia kuehniella larvae. J Pest Sci 90, 569–585 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-016-0808-x

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