Journal of Entomological Science (2000) 35, 290-300
S.P. Kowalski, J.M. Domek, L.L. Sanford and K.L. Deahl (2000)
Effect of alpha-tomatine and tomatidine on the growth and development of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae): Studies using synthetic diets
Journal of Entomological Science 35 (3), 290-300
Abstract: Glycoalkaloids are found throughout the genera Solanum (potato) and Lycopersicon (tomato). Certain glycoalkaloids, i.e., alpha-tomatine, solanocardenine, and leptine, have been implicated as resistance factors to the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. The allelochemical properties of these glycoalkaloids have primarily been demonstrated by studies in planta, correlating Colorado potato beetle resistance with high levels of foliar glycoalkaloids: solanocardenine in S. neocardenasii, alpha-tomatine in S. pinnatisectum, and leptine in S. chacoense. Although the evidence that these glycoalkaloids mediate resistance is compelling, controlled analyses of Colorado potato beetle response to purified glycoalkaloids, fed to insects in synthetic diets, are necessary to characterize the allelochemic nature of these compounds. In this study, Colorado potato beetle reared on a meridic, synthetic diet supplemented with increasing concentrations of alpha-tomatine exhibit retarded growth and delayed development. These effects were evident throughout the insects development, from egg to prepupal stage. Tomatidine (the aglycone of alpha-tomatine) has no effect on Colorado potato beetle, suggesting that the tetrasaccharide moiety of the glycoalkaloid is essential for insecticidal activity, consistent with a membrane-lytic mechanism of action.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Kenneth L. Deahl
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leptinotarsa decemlineata |
