Two series of novel fraxinellone-based thioethers containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety were prepared as insecticidal agents against the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata Walker. The structural assignment was based on the spectroscopic and X-ray analysis data. Among all the target compounds, compounds 4b, 4k, 5b, 5j and 5k exhibited more potent insecticidal activity with final mortality rates (...

Nucleopolyhedroviruses originally isolated from Anagrapha falcifera (Kirby) and Autographa californica (Speyer) were formulated with various ingredients using a spray dry method and tested for residual field activity in Illinois and Mississippi. In Mississippi, field tests were conducted on cotton in 1997, whereas in Illinois tests were conducted on cabbage in 1997 and 1998. Within 24 h, signif...

This review examines potential impacts of transgenic cultivars on insect population dynamics and evolution. Experience with classically bred, insecticidal cultivars has demonstrated that a solid understanding of both the target insect's ecology and the cultivar's performance under varied field conditions will be essential for predicting area-wide effects of transgenic cultivars on pest and natu...

In this review, we evaluate the intentional mixing or blending of insecticidal seed with refuge seed for managing resistance by insects to insecticidal corn (Zea mays). We first describe the pest biology and farming practices that will contribute to weighing trade-offs between using block refuges and blended refuges. Case studies are presented to demonstrate how the trade-offs will differ in di...

Azadirachta indica is a fast growing, evergreen tree found commonly in India, Africa and America. Neem is one of the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. It is a highly esteemed tree with several beneficial properties and applications, especially known for its incredible therapeutic and ethnomedicinal values for mankind. It has been used in different medicinal systems: Ayurveda, un...

Mosquitoes are the major vectors of parasites and pathogens affecting humans and domestic animals. The widespread development of insecticide resistance and negative environmental effects of most synthetic compounds support an interest in finding and developing alternative products against mosquitoes. Natural coumarins and synthetic coumarin analogues are known for their several pharmacological ...

The importance of the double bonds in the furan ring of avocadofurans with relation to their insecticidal activity was examined. The insecticidal activity of two naturally occurring avocadofurans, 2-(pentadecyl)furan and 2-(heptadecyl)furan, was compared to the toxicity of five tetrahydrofurans with alkyl chains at position 2 and varying side chains from 14 to 18 carbons. We found that eliminat...

In 1989, indole alkaloid okaramines isolated from the fermentation products of Penicillium simplicissimum were shown to be insecticidal, yet the mechanism of their toxicity to insects remains unknown. We therefore examined the action of okaramine B on silkworm larval neurons using patch-clamp electrophysiology. Okaramine B induced inward currents which reversed close to the chloride equilibrium...

Two classes of paralytic toxins were isolated from the venom of Agelenopsis aperta and their chemical and larvicidal properties characterized. Five acylpolyamine toxins (alpha-agatoxins) of molecular masses 452, 488, 489, 504, and 505 Da produce immediate but reversible paralysis in Manduca sexta following injection. Six insecticidal peptides (mu-agatoxins) produce a gradual but irreversible pa...

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins have been used widely in pest managements. However, Cry toxins are not effective against sap-sucking insects (Hemiptera), which limits the application of Bt for pest management. In order to extend the insecticidal spectrum of Bt toxins to the rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, we modified Cry1Ab putative receptor binding domains with selecte...