BEHAVIORAL AND SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF STRUCTURALLY RELATED LOWER TERPENES ON MYZUS-PERSICAE

The sesquiterpenes farnesol, caryophyllene oxide, and 2,10-bisaboradie n-1-one (patent #9602748) and the monoterpenes citronellol and geranio l were tested for settling inhibition and chronic effects on the aphid Myzus persicae by means of an improved leaf-disk assay. Of these comp ounds, geraniol, farnesol, and the natural bisabolene significantly in hibit settling in choice tests. Furthermore, application of the bisabo lene to intact Capsicum annuum leaves did not cause phytotoxicity, but did affect the insects' probing behavior by decreasing the probing ac tivity and the number of intracellular punctures. Both compounds signi ficantly decreased offspring production. Of the compounds tested, the natural product bisabolene could be a promising lead for future develo pment of aphid control agents.