Ovicidal and larvicidal activity and possible mode of action of phenylpropanoids and ketone identified in Syzygium aromaticum bud against Bradysia procera

Bradysia procera is a serious insect pest of Panax ginseng plants. This study was conducted to determine the toxicity and mechanism of action of three phenylpropanoids, three terpenoids, and a ketone from Syzygium aromaticum bud methanol extract and hydrodistillate against third-instar larvae and eggs of B. procera. In a filter-paper mortality bioassay, methyl salicylate (LC50, 5.26μg/cm2) was the most toxic compound, followed by 2-nonanone, eugenol, and eugenyl acetate (8.77–15.40μg/cm2). These compounds were significantly less toxic than either thiamethoxam, clothianidin, or cypermethrin. Egg hatching was inhibited by 97, 85, and 40% at 11.7μg/cm2 of methyl salicylate, 2-nonanone, and eugenol, respectively. The egg-hatching inhibition of these insecticides was between 90 and 94% at 0.09μg/cm2. These constituents were consistently more toxic in closed versus open containers, indicating that toxicity was achieved mainly through the action of vapor. The mechanism of larvicidal action of methyl salicylate, eugenol, and eugenyl acetate might be primarily due to interference with the octopaminergic system. 2-Heptyl acetate and 2-nonanone might act on both acetylcholinesterase and the octopaminergic receptor. 2-Heptanone might act primarily on acetylcholinesterase. Further studies will warrant possible applications of S. aromaticum bud-derived products as potential larvicides and ovicides for the control of B. procera. [Display omitted] •Bradysia procera is a serious insect pest of Panax ginseng plants.•We aimed to assess the potential of S. aromaticum bud methanol extract (SA-BME), S. aromaticum bud hydrodistillate (SA-BHD), 10 bud constituents identified, and another five previously known bud essential oil constituents against third-instar larvae and eggs of B. procera, using the filter-paper mortality bioassays.•Finally, the possible mechanism underlying the larvicidal actions of the test compounds against B. procera was elucidated using biochemical analysis.•The mechanism of larvicidal action of methyl salicylate, 2-nonanone, eugenol, and eugenyl acetate might be due to interference with the octopaminergic system.•Further studies will warrant possible applications of S. aromaticum bud-derived products as potential larvicides and ovicides for the control of B. procera.