Insect repellent/antifeedant activity of 2,4-methanoproline and derivatives against a leaf- and seed-feeding pest insect.
2,4-methanoproline is a natural product isolated from the seeds of Ateleia herbert smithii Pittier that was formerly suggested to have insect repellent/antifeedant activity; however, this was not tested quantitatively. In this study the insect repellent/antifeedant potency of methanoproline was measured against larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), and adults of the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). In addition, several N-alkyl, amino, and nitrile derivatives of methanoproline with varying stereodemanding substituents were synthesized and also tested. It was shown that in S. littoralis methanoproline itself did not show any significant activity but that derivatives 5, 7, 8, and 10 did show a reasonable repulsive/antifeedant activity that was comparable to the commercial repellent DEET. A significant repellent activity was scored for methanoproline in adults of C. maculatus that was similar to DEET.
Stevens
Christian V
CV
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Chris.Stevens@UGent.be
Smagghe
Guy
G
Rammeloo
Thomas
T
De Kimpe
Norbert
N
D000818:Animals; D007302:Insect Repellents; D007306:Insecticides; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D018411:Spodoptera; D048889:Weevils
C450189:2,4-methanoproline; D007302:Insect Repellents; D007306:Insecticides; D011392:Proline