Insecticidal Effects of Cyanolipids on Three Species of Stored Product Insects, European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae, and Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)1

Abstract

Seed oils of many sapindaceous plants contain substantial amounts of cyanolipids. Several of these oils stimulated aggregation of the sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), and the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (Jacquelin duVal). In a pitfall bioassay, they attracted the sawtoothed grain beetle and the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), but repelled the confused flour beetle. For the most part, the four classes of cyanolipids did not attract or stimulate aggregation of these insects when tested in pure form separated from the accompanying triglycerides. When contacted, oils containing cyanolipids I or IV (or pure cyanolipids I or IV) temporarily paralyzed sawtoothed grain beetles. None of the cyanolipids produced similar effects in confused flour beetles, rice weevils, or striped cucumber beetles, Acalymma vittata (F.). When incorporated into the larval diet of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), cyanolipids II and IV produced severe toxicity and anti pupation effects, respectively.