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Abstract
Ethanolic extracts from Magnolia dealbata (Zucc.) (Magnoliaceae); leaves, bark, seeds, sarcotesta and flowers were evaluated for insecticidal activity against adults of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Using feeding bioassays composed from sugar-extract mixtures, only the extract from sarcotesta indicated insecticidal activity against the flies. The extracts from the other four plant tissues (leaves, bark, seeds and flowers) did not manifest any biological activity. The most effective extract was obtained from oven-dried sarcotesta, whereas extracts from fresh sarcotesta were inactive. Our results suggest that M. dealbata sarcotesta contains secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity against A. ludens adults. These metabolites are as potent as natural pyrethins and represent a potential substance for controlling this type of pest.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Pablo Montoya and Dinesh Rao for their comments, as well as Rogelio Lara González for technical help. Caroline Sarah Karslake revised English spelling and grammar. Ing. José Manuel Gutiérrez Ruelas, Director de la Campaña Moscas de la Fruta (SAGARPA-DGSV) provided support and encouragement. This research was partly sustained by the FOMIX-Conacyt-Veracruz Project 37502.