Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, Trichoplusia ni and Pseudaletia unipuncta

Phytochemistry Reviews volume 7, pages 77–88 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides but with reduced health and environmental impacts. In this review we compare the bioactivities of some plant extracts with those of commercially available botanical insecticides against two important agricultural pests, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni and the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. Test materials included extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), A. excelsa (sentang), Melia volkensii, M. azedarach (Chinaberry) and Trichilia americana, (all belonging to the family Meliaceae) along with commercial botanical insecticides ryania, pyrethrum, rotenone and essential oils of rosemary and clove leaf. Most of the extracts and botanicals tested proved to be strong growth inhibitors, contact toxins and significant feeding deterrents to both lepidopteran species. However, there were interspecific differences with T. ni generally more susceptible to the botanicals than the armyworm, P. unipuncta. All botanicals were more inhibitory to growth and toxic (through feeding) to T. ni than to P. unipuncta, except for M. azedarach which was more toxic to P. unipuncta than to T. ni. Athough, pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical to both noctuids, A. indica, A. excelsa, and M. volkensii were more toxic than ryania, rotenone, clove oil and rosemary oil for T. ni. As feeding deterrents, pyrethrum was the most potent against T. ni, whereas A. indica was the most potent against the armyworm. Based upon growth inhibition, chronic toxicity, and antifeedant activity, some of these plant extracts have levels of activity that compare favorably to botanical products currently in commercial use and have potential for development as commercial insecticides.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Akhtar Y, Rankin CH, Isman MB (2003) Decreased response to feeding deterrents following prolonged exposure in the larvae of a generalist herbivore, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J Insect Behav 16:811–831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar Y, Isman MB (2004a) Comparative growth inhibitory and antifeedant effects of plant extracts and pure allelochemicals on four phytophagous insect species. J Appl Entomol 128:32–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar Y, Isman MB (2004b) Feeding responses of specialist herbivores to plant extracts and pure allelochemicals: effects of prolonged exposure. Entomol Exp Appl 111:201–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Appel AG, Gehret MJ, Tanley MJ (2001) Repellency and toxicity of essential oils to German cockroaches (Dictyoptera, Blattodea and Blatellidae). J Agric Urban Entomol 18:149–156

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arnason JT, Philogene BJR, Donskov N, Kubo I (1987) Limonoids from Meliaceae and Rutaceae reduce feeding growth and development of Ostrinia nubilalis. Entomol Exp Appl 43:221–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ascher KRS, Schmutterer H, Mazor M, Zebitz CPW, Naqvi SNH (2002) The Persian lilac or Chinaberry tree: Melia azedarach L. In: Schmutterer H (ed) The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes, 2 edn. Neem foundation, Mumbai, India, pp 770–820

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernays EA, Oppenheim S, Chapman RF, Kwon H, Gould F (2000) Taste sensitivity of insect herbivores to deterrents is greater in specialists than in genreralists: a behavioural test of the hypothesis with two closely related caterpillars. J Chem Ecol 26:547–562

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpinella CM, Ferravoli C, Valladares G, Defago M, Palacios S (2002) Potent limonoid insect antifeedant from Melia azedarach. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 60:1731–1736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpinella MC, Defago MT, Valladares G, Palacios SM (2003) Antifeedant and insecticidal properties of a limonoid from Melia Azedarach (Meliaceae) with potential use for pest management. J Agric Food Chem 51:369–374

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casida JE, Quistad JB (1995) Pyrethrum flowers: production, chemistry, toxicology and uses. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, UK, 356 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Champagne DE, Isman MB, Towers GHN (1989) Insecticidal activity of phytochemicals and extracts of the Meliaceae. In: Arnason JT, Philogene BJR, Morand P (eds) Insecticides of plant origin, vol. 387. Amer. Chem. Soc. Symp. Ser. Washington DC, USA, pp 95–109

  • Champagne DE, Koul O, Isman MB, Scudder GGE, Towers GHN (1992) Biological activities of limonoids from the Rutales. Phytochemistry 31:377–394

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charleston DS (2004) Integrating biological control and botanical pesticides for Plutella xylostella. PhD thesis. Wageningen Univ., 176 pp

  • Charleston DS, Kfir R, Dicke M (2005) Behavior responses of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to extracts derived from Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica. Bull Entomol Res 95:457–469

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu SF (1989) Recent advances in research on botanical insecticides in China. In: Arnason JT, Philogene BJR, Morand P (eds) Insecticides of plant origin, vol. 387. Amer. Chem. Soc. Symp. Ser. Washington DC, USA, pp 69–77

  • Chiu SF, Huang BQ, Huang ZX, Zu MC, Huang DP, Hu MY (1984) Investigation on extraction of the toxic principles from seed kernels of Meliaceae and their effects on agricultural insects. Res. Bull. No 3, Lab. Toxicol. Dept. Pl. Prot. South China Agric. Univ. 32 pp

  • Connolly JD (1983) Chemistry of the Meliaceae and Cneoraceae. In: Waterman PG, Grunden MF (eds), Chemistry and chemical taxonomy of the Rutales, Academic Press, London, pp 175–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Copping LG, Menn JJ (2000) Biopesticides: a review of their action, applications and efficacy. Pest Manag Sci 56:651–676

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dales MJ (1996) A review of plant materials used in controlling insect pests of stored products. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham (UK), 84 pp. NRI Bulletins; No. 65 (08927/J11.D35)

  • Davidson RH, Lyon WF (1979) Insect pests of farm, garden, and orchard. John Wiley and Sons Inc., USA

  • Doll M, Schmutterer H (1993) Vergleigh der Wirkung Von SamenkernextraktenUnd Ol Von Azadirachta excelsa and A. indica beim Mexikanischen Bohnenkafer Epilachna varivestis. Mitt Dtsch Ges Allg Angew Entomol 8:775–780

    Google Scholar 

  • Enan E (2001) Insecticidal activity of essential oils: octopaminergic sites of action. Comp Biochem Physiol 130:325–337

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finney DJ (1971) Probit analysis, 3rd edn. Cambridge University Press, London, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindachari TR, Suresh G, Gopalakrishnan G, Wesley SD (2000) Insect antifeedant and growth regulating activities of neem seed oil—the role of major triterpenoids. J Appl Entomol 124:287–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hollingworth R, Ahmadsahib K, Gedelhak G, McLaughlin J (1994) New inhibitors of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain with activity as pesticides Biochem. Soc Trans 22:230–233

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (1993) Growth inhibitory and antifeedant effects of azadirachtin on six noctuids of regional economic importance. Pestic Sci 38:57–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (1994) Botanical insecticides and antifeedants: new sources and perspectives. Pestic Research J 6:11–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (1997) Neem and other botanical insecticides: barriers to commercialization. Phytoparasitica 25:339–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (1999) Pesticides based on plant essential oils. Pestic Outlook 10:68–72

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (2004) Plant essential oils as green pesticides for pest and disease management. In: Nelson WM (ed) Agricultural applications in green chemistry, vol. 887. Amer. Chem. Soc. Symp. Ser. Washington DC, USA, pp 41–51

  • Isman MB (2005) Problems and opportunities for the commercialization of insecticides. In: Regnault-Roger C, Philogene BJR, Vincent R (eds) Biopesticides of plant origin. Lavoisier, Paris, pp 283–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (2006) The role of botanical insecticides, deterrents, and repellents in modern agriculture and an increasingly regulated world. Annu Rev Entomol 51:45–66

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB, Arnason JT, Towers GHN (2002) Chemistry and biological activity of ingredients of other species of Meliaceae. In: Schmutterer H (ed) The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes, 2nd edn. Neem Foundation, Mumbai India, pp 827–833

    Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB, Matsuura H, MacKinnon S, Durst T, Towers GHN, Arnason JT (1996) Phytochemistry of the Meliaceae: so many terpenoids, so few insecticides. In: Romeo JT, Saunders JA, Barbosa P (eds) Recent advances in phytochemistry, vol. 30. Phytochemical diversity and redundancy in ecological interactions. Plenum Press, New York, London, pp 155–178

  • Klocke JA, Kubo I (1982) Citrus limonoid by-products as insect control agents. Entomol Exp Appl 32:299–301

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koul O (1992) Neem allelochemicals and insect control. In: Rizvi SJH, Rizvi B (eds) Allelopathy, basic and applied aspects. Chapman and Hall, London, pp 389–412

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraus W, Cramer R, Sawitzki G (1981) Tetranortriterpenoids from the seeds of the neem tree Azadirachta indica. Phytochemistry 20:117–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus W (1986) Constituents of neem and related species. A revised structure of azadirachtin. Stud Org Chem 26:237–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraus W (2002) Azadirachtin and other triterpenoids. In: Schmutterer H (ed) Azadirachta indica A Juss and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes, 2nd edn. Neem Foundation, Mumbai, India, pp 39–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavie D, Jain MK (1967) Tetranortriterpenoids form Melia azadirachta L. J Chem Soc Chem Commun 278–280

  • Lee SM, Klocke JA, Barnby MA, Yamasaki RB, Balandrin MF (1991) Insecticidal constituents of Azadirachta indica and Melia azedarach (Meliacea). In: Hedin PA (ed) Naturally occurring pest bioregulators, vol. 449. Amer. Chem. Soc. Symp. Ser. Washington DC, USA, pp 293–304

  • Mordue AJ, Blackwell A (1993) Azadirachtin: an update. J Insect Physiol 39:903–924

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mordue AJ, Simmonds SJM, Ley VS, Blaney MW, Mordue W, Nasiruddin M, Nisbet JA (1998) Actions of azadirachtin, a plant allelochemical against insects. Pestic Sci 54:277–284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mwangi RW (1982) Locust antifeedant activity in fruits of Melia volkensii. Entomol Exp Appl 32:277–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwangi RW, Rembold H (1987) Growth regulating activity of Melia volkensii extracts against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. In: Schmutterer H, Ascher KRS (eds) Proc. 3rd Int Neem Conf, Nairobi, Kenya (1986), pp 669–681

  • Mwangi RW, Rembold H (1988) Growth inhibiting and larvicidal effects of Melia volkensii extracts on Aedes aegypti larvae. Entomol Exp Appl 46:103–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakatani M, Iwashita T, Naoki H, Hase T (1985) Structure of a limonoid antifeedant from Trichilia roka. Phytochemistry 24:195–196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakatani M, James JC, Nakanishi K (1981) Isolation and structures of trichilins, antifeedants against the southern armyworm. J Am Chem Soc 13:1228–1230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng LT, Yuen PM, Loke WH, Kadir AA (2003) Effects of Azadirachta excelsa on feeding behaviour, body weight, and mortality of Crocidolomia binotalis Zeller (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). J Sci Food Agric 83:1327–1330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pennington PD, Styles BT (1975) A generic monograph of the Meliaceae. Blumea 22:419–540

    Google Scholar 

  • Pipithsangchan S, Subhadhirasakul S, Palintorn P, Yuenyongsawad S (2005) Effects of extracts from Tiam seeds on cotton leafworm. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 27:511–521

    Google Scholar 

  • Priestley CM, Williamson EM, Wafford KA, Sattelle DB (2003) Thymol, a constituent of thyme essential oil is a positive allosteric modulator of human GABA receptors and a homo-oligomeric GABA receptor from Drosophila melanogaster. Br J Pharmacol 140:1363–1372

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quarles W (1996) EPA exempt least toxic pesticides. IPM Pract 18:16–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajab MS, Bentley MD (1988) Tetranortriterpenes from Melia volkensii. J Nat Products 51:840–844

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajab MS, Bentley MD, Alford AR, Mendel MJ (1988) A new limonoid insect antifeedant from the fruit of Melia volkensii. J Nat Prod 51:168–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rembold H, Mwangi RW (2002) Melia volkensii Gurke. In: Schmutterer H (ed) Azadirachta indica A Juss and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes, 2nd edn. Neem Foundation, Mumbai, India, pp 770–820

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmutterer H (1990) Properties and potential of natural insecticides from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica. Annu Rev Entomol 35:271–297

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmutterer H, Doll M (1993) The marrango or Philippine neem tree, Azadirachta excelsa (=A. integrifoliola): a new source of insecticides with growth regulating properties. Phytoparasitica 21:79–86

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmutterer H, Ermel K, Isman MB (2002) The Tiam, Sentang, or Marrango tree: Azadirachta excelsa (Jack). In: Schmutterer H (ed) Azadirachta indica A Juss and other meliaceous plants: sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes, 2nd edn. Neem Foundation, Mumbai, India, pp 760–779

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd HH (1951) The chemistry and action of insecticides. New York, McGraw Hill, 504 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh D, Singh Ak (1991) Repellent and insecticidal properties of essential oils against housefly Musca domestica L. Insect Sci Appl 12:487–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroh J, Wan MT, Isman MB, Moul DJ (1998) Evaluation of the acute toxicity to juvenile Pacific coho salmon and rainbow trout of some plant essential oils, a formulated product and the carrier. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 60:923–930

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe AK, Shono Y, kakimiziu A, Matsuo N, Saton A, Nishimura H (1993) New mosquito repellent from Eucalyptus camaldulensis. J Agric Food Chem 41:2164–2166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler DA, Isman MB (2001) Antifeedant and toxic activity of Trichilia americana extract against the larvae of Spodoptera litura. Entomol Exp Appl 98:9–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler DA, Isman MB, Sanchez-Vindas PE, Arnason JT (2001) Screening of Costa Rican Trichilia species for biological activity against the larvae of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). Biochem Syst Ecol 29:347–358

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xie YS, Isman MB, Gunning P, MacKinnon S, Arnason JT, Taylor DR, Sanchez P, Hasbun C, Towers GHN (1994) Biological extracts of Trichilia species and the limonoid hirtin against lepidopteran larvae. Biochem Syst Ecol 22:129–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida AH, Toscano CN (1994) Comparative effects of selected natural insecticides on Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) larvae. J Econ Entomol 87:305–310

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu BCR, Henderson G, Chen F, Fei HX, Raine RA (2001a) Evaluation of vetiver oil and six insect-effective essential oils against the Formosan subterranian termite. J Chem Ecol 27:1617–1625

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu BCR, Henderson G, Chen F, Maistrallo L, Raine RA (2001b) Nootkatone is a repellent and toxicant for Formosan subterranian termite (Coptotermes formosamus). J Chem Ecol 27:523–531

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Nancy Brard for insect rearing and technical assistance. We also thank Ikkei Shikano, Veronica Robertson, Sylvia Altius and Sincere Wong for their assistance with bioassays. Supported in part by an International Cooperative Research Grant (F01200400010127) from the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to M.B.I. and Y.R.Y.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4

    Y. Akhtar & M. B. Isman

  2. Department of Applied Plant Science, Kangnung National University, Gangneung, Kangwon-Do, 201-702, Korea

    Y. -R. Yeoung

Authors
  1. Y. Akhtar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Y. -R. Yeoung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. B. Isman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. B. Isman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Akhtar, Y., Yeoung, Y.R. & Isman, M.B. Comparative bioactivity of selected extracts from Meliaceae and some commercial botanical insecticides against two noctuid caterpillars, Trichoplusia ni and Pseudaletia unipuncta . Phytochem Rev 7, 77–88 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-006-9048-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-006-9048-7

Keywords

search

Navigation