ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Effect of α-Methylenelactone Group
on the Feeding Deterrent Activity of Natural
and Synthetic Alkenes Against Colorado Potato
Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say
M. Szczepanik1, A. Szumny2, C. Wawrzeńczyk2
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1Nicolaus Copernicus University, Institute of General and Molecular Biology,
Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Gagarina 9, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
2Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry,
Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(6):1107-1112
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Studies on the feeding deterrent activity of some natural, cyclic terpenes (myrcene, (+)-3-carene,
(+)-limonene, (±)-camphene), synthetic alkenes (2-methyl-1-pentene, 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene, 1-methylcyclohexene,
1-tetradecene) and their derivatives α-methylenelactones in choice and no-choice tests against
Colorado potato beetle with potato, Solanum tuberosum L. leaf discs as consuming food were carried out.
Deterrent indexes determined in the tests show that the strongest antifeedant to larvae and adults of
Leptinotarsa decemlineata was α-methylenelactone obtained from 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene. The structure
modification of (+)-3-carene and (±)-camphene via introduction of α-methylenelactone moiety increased their
deterrent activity, especially against larvae. Other starting alkenes and α-methylenelactones obtained from
them were weak deterrents to both developmental stages of L. decemlineata.