Antifeedant compounds from three species of Apiaceae active against the field slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Muller).
Extracts of volatiles from foliage of three plants in the Apiaceae, Conium maculatum L. (hemlock), Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), and Petroselinum crispum Mill. (Nym.) (parsley), previously shown to exhibit antifeedant activity in assays with the field slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Muller) (Limacidae: Pulmonata), were studied further to identify the active components. Coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and neurophysiological assays using tentacle nerve preparations resulted in the identification of 11 active compounds from the three extracts. Wheat flour feeding bioassays were used to determine which of these compounds had the highest antifeedant activity. One of the most active compounds was the alkaloid gamma-coniceine, from C. maculatum. The role of potentially toxic alkaloids as semiochemicals and the potential for using such compounds as crop protection agents to prevent slug feeding damage is discussed.
Birkett
Michael A
MA
Rothamsted Research, Harpenden Herts AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom.
Dodds
Catherine J
CJ
Henderson
Ian F
IF
Leake
Lucy D
LD
Pickett
John A
JA
Selby
Martin J
MJ
Watson
Peter
P
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008974:Mollusca / Q000502:physiology*; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D014835:Volatilization
D000470:Alkaloids; D010936:Plant Extracts