Antifeedant properties of natural products from Parthenium argentatum, P-argentatum x P-tomentosum (Asteraceae) and Castela emoryi (Simaroubeaceae) against Reticulitermes flavipes

Natural products from the desert plants, Parthenium argentatum, P. argentat um x P. tomentosum (guayule resin) and Castela emoryi were evaluated as ant ifeedants and toxicants against the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulit ermes flavipes. Two sesquiterpenes (partheniol and argentone) and a triterp ene (incanilin) from guayule resin showed different levels of antifeedant a nd toxic activity, with argentone being the most active antifeedant with to xic effects. Among the quassinoids from C. emoryi, glaucarubolone glucoside showed moderate antifeedant and toxic effects. Overall, the eudesmane sesq uiterpene argentone from the hybrid P. argentatum x P. tomentosum showed th e strongest effects. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.