Differential anti-insect activity of natural products isolated from Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. (Sapindaceae)

Abstract

Botanical biopesticides constitute an important tool for Integrated Pest Management practices. Uruguay has a great potential for developing botanical biopesticides from its abundant native flora. Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. is a native Sapindaceae that in preliminary studies was shown to possess a potential deterrent activity against insect models. In this work, ethanolic extracts of the leaves of this species were studied. Bioguided fractionation and supercritical fluid extraction led to the isolation of active compounds. For that purpose four insect models were used: Epilachna paenulata, Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae, and Rhopalosiphum padi, which are pests of crops of economic importance. Lupeol, stigmasterol, stigmast-7-en-3-ol, and a labdane diterpene were isolated and showed differential activity against the models.