Búsqueda de nuevas estrategias para el control de insectos.

BILBAO MP, TONN CE, SOSA ME.

San Luis

Otro; XXX Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2012

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Search for new strategies for insect control Currently, chemical control strategies have evolved over the years, resulting in less aggressive chemical environment and greater specificity of action. Terpenoids have profound effects on insects. It is well known that structural characteristics of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes can influence their insecticidal properties, their degree of penetration into the insect cuticle and the ability to move and interact with an active site. As part of a programa for the study to bioinsecticides we begin the analysis of the activity of some monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes against Spodoptera frugiperda Smith and Rachiplusia nu Guen larvae, two sorghum pests. In laboratory tests, we investigated the antifeedant and toxic properties of limonene, camphene, terpineol, -pinene, - cariophilene and mircene in the fourth larval stage of S. frugiperda and R. nu. The percentage of feeding inhibition (%FI) was calculated using choise test, however none of the compounds showed antifeedant activity. To assess toxicity, the compounds were topically applied to the ventral surface of the thoracic segments with a microsyringe (1g/l/larvae). Mortality was recorded at 24, 48 and 72 h. Percentage of insect mortality was corrected according to Abbott. Limonene showed that was the most toxic to R. nu, followed by -terpineol. Furthermore, myrcene caused mortality in S. frugiperda. This data provide an important preliminary information, that should be fully explored for using in integrated pest management (IPM). More research is needed in order to understand the specific mechanism of action for each compound.