Open AccessThe Sublethal Effects of β-Ecdysterone, a Highly Active Compound from Achyranthes bidentata Blume, on Grape Phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch
Author(s) -
Yongqiang Liu,
Fuqian Yang,
Hongtie Pu,
Junhong Su,
Zongjiang Liu,
Khalid Hussain Dhiloo,
Zhongyue Wang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0165860
Subject(s) - phylloxera , ecdysterone , biology , instar , fecundity , pest analysis , toxicology , botany , horticulture , population , larva , rootstock , medicine , biochemistry , environmental health , hormone
Grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) (Hemiptera, Phylloxeridae), is a very destructive insect pest of grapevines. Intercropping of Achyranthes bidentata Blume (f. Amaranthaceae) and Vitis spp. grapevines can be useful to control this pest. In the present study, the toxicity of 22 compounds, known to be present in A . bidentata , to grape phylloxera was evaluated. All treatments were toxic towards grape phylloxera but the degree of toxicity differed between treatments. Among the 22 tested compounds, several of which proved toxic towards grape phylloxera. However β-ecdysterone had higher toxic effects against grape phylloxera, with LC 50 values of 175.73 mg a.i. liter -1 . In addition, we assessed the sublethal effects of LC 10 , LC 20 and LC 40 of β-ecdysterone on grape phylloxera. The fourth instar and adult developmental periods and total life span were significantly prolonged by LC 40 of β-ecdysterone. Fecundity decreased when grape phylloxera were exposed to LC 20 and LC 40 of β-ecdysterone. In addition, LC 40 of β-ecdysterone decreased the intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) and the finite rate of increase (λ) and prolonged the population doubling time (DT). The net reproductive rate (R 0 ) was significantly reduced by both the LC 20 and LC 40 β-ecdysterone treatments. Our results demonstrated that β-ecdysterone had higher toxic effects and significant sublethal effects on grape phylloxera, and showed potential control of grape phylloxera.