Pest Management Science (2011) 67, 1493-1498

Radi Aly, Uzi Ravid, Jackline Abu-Nassar, Ilan Botnick, Galina Lebedev, Shira Gal, Hammam Ziadna, Guy Achdari, Evgeny Smirov, Ayala Meir and Murad Ghanim (2011)
Biological activity of natural phytoecdysteroids from Ajuga iva against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci and the persea mite Oligonychus perseae
Pest Management Science 67 (12), 1493-1498
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that control moulting and govern several changes during metamorphoses in arthropods. The discovery of the same molecules (phytoecdysteroids) in several plant species displayed a wide array of rather beneficial agricultural impact. Many representatives of the genus Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids with a 5β-7-ene-6-one system exhibiting physiological activities in insects.
RESULTS: By means of chromatographic (silica gel column, TLC) and LC-MS, two major ecdysteroids (20-hydroxyecdysone and cyasterone) have been isolated and identified from Israeli carpet bugle Ajuga iva (L.) Schreber (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) plants. Ajuga iva extract fractionated on the silica gel column yielded two fractions that showed high activity against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci and the persea mite Oligonychus perseae. A dose of 5 mg AI L⁻¹ of the purely identified A. iva ecdysterone significantly reduced fecundity, fertility and survival of these pests, while commercial 20-hydroxyecdysone at the same dose had lesser effects.
CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate considerable efficacy of natural phytoecdysteroids against major agricultural pests, and suggests that these materials should be considered for potential development of friendly control agents.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Murad Ghanim, Radi Aly

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bemisia tabaci
	Oligonychus perseae