Conjugated linoleic acid as a novel insecticide targeting the agricultural pest Leptinotarsa decemlineata

PLoS One. 2019 Nov 14;14(11):e0220830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220830. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is a major agricultural pest of solanaceous crops in the United States. Historically, a multitude of insecticides have been used to control problematic populations. Due to increasing resistance to insecticides, novel compounds and methodologies are warranted for the control of beetle populations. Mixed-isomer conjugated linoleic acid has been studied in-depth for its beneficial properties to mammalian systems. At the same time, studies have demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid can manipulate fatty acid composition in non-mammalian systems, resulting in embryo mortality. Consequently, experiments were conducted to assess the effects of foliar-applied conjugated linoleic acid on larval growth, embryogenesis, and feeding preference in Colorado potato beetle. Both maternal and deterrent effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid were assessed. Conjugated linoleic acid demonstrated desirable insecticidal properties, including increased larval mortality, slowed larval development, antifeedant effects, and decreased egg viability after maternal ingestion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coleoptera* / drug effects
  • Coleoptera* / growth & development
  • Coleoptera* / physiology
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / drug effects
  • Insect Control / methods
  • Insecticide Resistance
  • Insecticides*
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / physiology
  • Linoleic Acids, Conjugated*
  • Male
  • Solanum tuberosum

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Insecticides
  • Linoleic Acids, Conjugated

Grants and funding

The support for this research was provided by the University of Wisconsin - Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education with funding from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation to JO and RG. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.