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Discovery and development of a new semiochemical biopesticide for cotton pest management: assessment of extract effects on the cotton pest H elicoverpa spp.
Author(s) -
Mensah Robert,
Moore Christopher,
Watts Nick,
Deseo Myrna A.,
Glennie Peter,
Pitt Angela
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/eea.12198
Subject(s) - biology , pest analysis , semiochemical , biopesticide , genetically modified maize , integrated pest management , agronomy , sorghum , pest control , bt cotton , genetically modified crops , toxicology , pesticide , botany , transgene , biochemistry , gene
The A ustralian cotton production system is dominated by transgenic Bt (Bollgard II ® ) cotton varieties, G ossypium hirsutum L . ( M alvaceae). These provide good control of lepidopteran pests ( H elicoverpa spp.; N octuidae) but are not effective against sucking pests. Recent trends in the frequency of resistance alleles in H elicoverpa spp. indicate the threat of pest resistance. Therefore, new technologies are required to manage the development of resistance and the resurgence of sucking pests. Consequently, the study was aimed to develop a semiochemical product able to deter feeding and oviposition of H elicoverpa spp., as well as cause direct mortality to the pest on transgenic and non‐transgenic crops. Plants including sorghum, sweet corn, pigeon pea, and lucerne (used as refuge crops in cotton), various cotton genotypes ( MHR 11, Lumein, and Sicala VII), and the native plant C litoria ternatea L . ( F abaceae) were cultivated within cotton crops and in cages, and assessed for the occurrence of oviposition by H elicoverpa spp. and survival of the pest larvae. The results indicated that pigeon pea, cotton, sorghum, and sweet corn were most preferred for H elicoverpa spp. oviposition and feeding, whereas C . ternatea was least preferred. We used a solid phase extraction technique to obtain six fractions of an extract of C . ternatea , which we assessed for bioactivity against H elicoverpa spp. We found that fractions 2, 3, 4, and 6 had oviposition and feeding deterrence as well as direct toxicity to H elicoverpa spp. C litoria ternatea fractions 2, 3, 4, and 6 have been developed into a product (Sero‐X ® ) that is effective against H elicoverpa spp. and sucking pests, and is in an advanced stage of commercialisation.