Abstract

In this work the antifeedant effects of the halogenated monoterpenes 1-13 were tested against several divergent insect species. These compounds have been isolated from Plocamium cartilagineum (6 was isolated as an acetyl derivative), except for 4, which was isolated from Pantoneura plocamioides. We have also included the semisynthetic derivatives 1a, 2a, and 7. Compounds 1, 1a, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8-10, and 13 were antifeedants against Leptinotarsa decemlineata with varying potencies. The aphids Myzus persicae and Ropalosiphum padi were strongly deterred in the presence of compounds 2, 12, and 13. This effect was correlated with the electronic recording of their probing behavior. Compounds 2 and 12 were toxic to L. decemlineata and had selective cytotoxicity to insect-derived Sf9 cells. None of the tested compounds showed phytotoxic effects. The antifeedant and cytotoxic effects of these compounds were compared with those of the polyhalogenated insecticide ?-hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane).