Molluscicidal activity of vulgarone B against ram's horn snail (Planorbella trivolvis)

Abstract

The ram's horn snail (Planorbella trivolvis (Say)) is an intermediate host for a digenetic trematode (Bolbophorus confusus (Krause) Dubois) that has recently been discovered to be a significant problem in commercial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Raf) production ponds in the Mississippi Delta region in the USA. In these catfish ponds, the digenetic life cycle of this parasitic trematode involves two intermediate hosts, the ram's horn snail and the channel catfish, and the final host, the American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin). One approach to eradicate this problem is to disrupt the life cycle of the parasitic trematodes by eliminating the snails. During our search for natural-product-based molluscicides to control the snails in the catfish ponds, vulgarone B, isolated from the steam distillate of the aerial parts of the plant Artemisia douglasiana Besser (Asteraceae), was found to be active towards the snails with a LC50 of ca 24 microM. Channel catfish toxicity studies indicated a LC50 of ca 207 microM. Vulgarone B may be an environmentally acceptable alternative for snail control in aquaculture.

Assessment of the molluscicidal activity of wormwood (Artemisia dubia, Wallich) leaves ethanolic extract on Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi, Möllendorff

“…One of the bioactive components that is found in Artemisia spp. is vulgarone B, and this bioactive component, although not isolated and quantitatively determined in this study, is known to have molluscicidal activity [4,14]. Phytochemical tests of wormwood EE revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, and terpenoids.…”

Plant‐derived natural products exhibiting activity against formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus)

“…Vulgarone B is present at a concentration of 85% in the steam distillate of the aerial parts of the plant 10. In previous investigations we have demonstrated that vulgarone B possesses molluscicidal activity against ram's horn snail, Planobdella trivolvis (Say), a pest in commercial catfish production ponds in the mid‐south area,16 and against golden apple snail, a pest in rice paddies in Asian rice‐producing countries 17. We have also shown that vulgarone B exerts antifungal activity against some agriculturally important plant pathogenic fungi, namely Colletotrichum fragariae Brooks, Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.)…”

Natural Toxins for Use in Pest Management

“…Vulgarone B (Figure 8), isolated from the steam distillate of the aerial parts of the plant Artemisia douglasiana (Asteraceae), has been found to be active towards ram’s horns nails with an LC 50 of ca 24 µM [49]. This compound caused severe hemolysis associated with lethal activity to the snails at concentrations that were not toxic to channel catfish.…”