Antifeedant activity of gutta-percha against larvae of the Hyphantria cunea and Anoplophora glabripennis

Abstract

Eucommia ulmoides is a small tree that has evolved strong pest resistance. This study investigated the mechanism of this resistance by evaluating pest damage and antifeedant activity of the secondary metabolite gutta-percha. In the field, E. ulmoides displayed an average plant resistance of 93.3%, with most damage confined to leaves. We assessed the effects of gutta-percha as a feeding deterrent against Hyphantria cunea and Anoplophora glabripennis larvae by mixing it into or daubing it onto the surface of artificial diets. Diets containing more than 6% gutta-percha significantly reduced the amount of feeding by A. glabripennis larvae and the body length of H. cunea larvae. In addition, approximately 95% of the artificial diet was not consumed compared to the control without gutta-percha. The content, distribution, properties, and dynamics of gutta-percha in E. ulmoides indicate that gutta-percha may function as a physical-chemical barrier against insect pests.

Keywords:

• Eucommia ulmoides
• investigation
• antifeedant activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Special Project for Scientific Research of Forestry Commonweal Industry of National Forestry Bureau (201404401).