Essential Oil of Aristolochia trilobata: Synthesis, Routes of Exposure, Acute Toxicity, Binary Mixtures and Behavioral Effects on Leaf-Cutting Ants

Abstract

Plants of the genus Aristolochia have been frequently reported as important medicinal plants. Despite their high bioactive potential, to date, there are no reports of their effects on leaf-cutting ants. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Aristolochia trilobata and its major components on Atta sexdens and Acromyrmex balzani, two species of leaf-cutting ants. The bioassays were performed regarding routes of exposure, acute toxicity, binary mixtures of the major components and behavioral effects. Twenty-five components were identified in the essential oil of A. trilobata using a gas chromatographic system equipped with a mass spectrometer and a flame ionization detector. The components found in higher proportions were sulcatyl acetate, limonene, p-cymene and linalool. The essential oil of A. trilobata and its individual major components were efficient against A. balzani and A. sexdens workers when applied by fumigation. These components showed fast and efficient insecticidal activity on ants. The components acted synergistically and additively on A. balzani and A. sexdens, respectively, and caused a strong repellency/irritability in the ants. Thus, our results demonstrate the great potential of the essential oil of A. trilobata and its major components for the development of new insecticides.

Alternative control of Aedes aegypti resistant to pyrethroids: lethal and sublethal effects of monoterpene bioinsecticides

“…Chemical standards of these compounds were purchased from Sigma‐Aldrich® (Steinheim, Germany), except for sulcatyl acetate, which was synthetized by chemical reduction of 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one (sulcatone, 500 mg, 3.97 mmol; Sigma‐Aldrich®) (Fig. B) …”

“…In fact, some studies have shown that populations of A. aegypti , including resistant populations, can be controlled by these products . Among the effective bioinsecticides, the EO from Aristolochia trilobata (Aristolochiaceae) stands out for its lethal and/or sublethal effects investigated in fungi, bacteria and pest insects . The compounds present in the EO of this plant species have synergistic and rapid actions on the cutter ants Atta sexdens and Acromyrmex balzani , as well as sublethal effects on the locomotion behavior of these insects .…”

“…Among the effective bioinsecticides, the EO from Aristolochia trilobata (Aristolochiaceae) stands out for its lethal and/or sublethal effects investigated in fungi, bacteria and pest insects . The compounds present in the EO of this plant species have synergistic and rapid actions on the cutter ants Atta sexdens and Acromyrmex balzani , as well as sublethal effects on the locomotion behavior of these insects . However, modification of motor coordination in rats was not demonstrated, which may indicate an absence of toxicity to humans .…”

Essential Oils of Hyptis pectinata Chemotypes: Isolation, Binary Mixtures and Acute Toxicity on Leaf-Cutting Ants

“…In experiments of toxicity via contact and fumigation with the essential oil of Aristolochia trilobata to Acromyrmex balzani ants, fumigation presented LC 50 of 9.33 μL/L. Conversely, the essential oil presented low toxicity via contact [ 35 ]. In Pogostemon cablin , the concentration required to cause 50% of the mortality of ants of the species Atta sexdens rubropilosa by fumigation was of 1.30 μL L −1 [ 36 ].…”

Acaricidal properties of the essential oil from Aristolochia trilobata and its major constituents against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)

“…Moreover, an evaluation of its insecticidal activity demonstrated that this oil is an excellent alternative for use in controlling Aedes aegypti L. larvae and adults (Silva et al 2018). Recently, Oliveira et al (2017) found that both the oil and its main component exhibited fast, efficient activity against Atta sexdens L. and Acromyrmex balzani Emery through fumigation. To the best of our knowledge, however, no previous study has evaluated the acaricidal properties of A. trilobata oil and its major components against the phytophagous mite T. urticae.…”