The effect of one flavone, two catechins and four flavonols on mortality and growth of the European corn borer ( Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner)

Abstract

Seven compounds incorporated into an artificial diet at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 mg g −1 were evaluated for their effect on growth and mortality of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). At all three concentrations the flavanone pinocembrin, two flavan-3-ols, catechin and epicatechin, and the flavonols, quercetin, rhamnetin, quercitrin and rutin significantly reduced the growth of larvae after only eight days of feeding. By day 18, only larvae fed pinocembrin had a survival rate in excess of 50% at all concentrations. Flavonols were the most toxic, ec 50 (effective concentration to reduce growth relative to controls by 50%) values evaluated on day 8 ranged from 0.17 to 7.4 mg g −1; estimated lc 50 (lethal concentration resulting in 50% larval mortality evaluated on day 18) values ranged from 0.16 to 12 mg g −1. The results suggest the potential of flavonoids for reducing the growth and survivorship of the European corn borer.