Summary.
The oviposition-stimulating activity of (E)-capsaicin identified in the fruits of red pepper, Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), towards the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée), was examined in the laboratory by using choice and no-choice bioassays. Results were compared with those of the commercially available capsanthin and dihydrocapsaicin, another known constituents of C. annuum fruit, and (Z)-capsaicin. In no-choice oviposition bioassays at 10.5 μg/cm2, (E)-capsaicin was the most active oviposition stimulant. Weak stimulatory activity was observed with capsanthin, (Z)-capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. In choice oviposition bioassays at 2.6 μg/cm2, there were significant differences in oviposition-stimulating activity between (E)-capsaicin and each of the other three alkaloids. Structure-activity relationships indicate that the presence of double bond and its trans configuration appeared to play a crucial role in the oviposition-stimulating activity. On the basis of our results, (E)-capsaicin acts as a contact oviposition stimulant of female H. assulta.
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Lee, HS., Hieu, T.T. & Ahn, YJ. Oviposition-stimulating activity of (E)-capsaicin identified in Capsicum annuum fruit and related compounds towards Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Chemoecology 16, 153–157 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-006-0341-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-006-0341-0