A potent insect antifeedant limonoid from Melia azedarach, and its activity compared to Azadirachtin

M.C. CARPINELLA; C.G. FERRAYOLI; G. VALLADARES; C. E. VACCARINI; S.M. PALACIOS

Congreso; World Neem Conference; 1999

Abstract – Meliartenin, a  hitherto undescribed limonoid, has been isolated from the fruit of Argentinian Melia azedarach L. and shown to be a potent insect antifeedant. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic means. At a concentration of 1 mg/cm2, meliartenin completely inhibited feeding by Epilachna paenulata Germ - (Coleoptera-Coccinelidae) larvae, being more active than Azadirachtin. Moreover, no-choice tests revealed negative effects on larval weight and survival, which were also more marked than those due to Azadirachtin.