Nootkatone is a repellent for Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

B C Zhu; G Henderson; F Chen; L Maistrello; R A Laine

doi:10.1023/a:1010301308649

Nootkatone is a repellent for Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

J Chem Ecol. 2001 Mar;27(3):523-31. doi: 10.1023/a:1010301308649.

Authors

B C Zhu¹, G Henderson, F Chen, L Maistrello, R A Laine

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.

PMID: 11441443
DOI: 10.1023/a:1010301308649

Abstract

We examined the behavior of Formosan subterranean termites toward one of the components of vetiver grass oil, the roots of which manufacture insect repellents. We found nootkatone, a sesquiterpene ketone, isolated from vetiver oil is a strong repellent and toxicant to Formosan subterranean termites. The lowest effective concentration tested was 10 micrograms/g substrate. This is the first report of nootkatone being a repellent to insects.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Behavior, Animal / drug effects
Biological Assay
Chromatography, Thin Layer
Feeding Behavior / drug effects
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Insect Repellents / isolation & purification*
Insect Repellents / toxicity
Isoptera / physiology*
Plant Roots / chemistry
Poaceae / chemistry*
Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes
Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification*
Sesquiterpenes / toxicity

Substances

Insect Repellents
Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes
Sesquiterpenes
nootkatone