ANTIFEEDANT AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF DRIMANES ON COLORADO POTATO BEETLE LARVAE

Among the drimane compounds tested, the dialdehydes polygodial and war burganal were the most active as antifeedants against Colorado potato beetle larvae, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelida e), in a dual-choice assay with potato, Solanum tuberosum L., leaf dis cs. Lactones were less effective. Direct observations showed that decr eased feeding on leaf discs treated with polygodial and warburganal wa s accompanied by increased locomotory activity. Topical application of these two compounds on the insect's cuticle decreased food intake of untreated leaf discs, indicating that besides deterrent effects, toxic properties of these molecules influence feeding behaviour.