Abstract

DELGADO-ORTIZ, J.C. et al. Insecticidal effect of the methanolic extract of Argemone mexicana for the control of Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc.) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). Revista bio ciencias [online]. 2023, vol.10, e1404.  Epub Feb 22, 2024. ISSN 2007-3380.  https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.10.e1404.

Argemone mexicana L. is a weed, which is used as a medicinal plant. The biological activity of this plant has been observed on pathogens such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and agricultural crop pests; such activity is attributed to compounds such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids present in the plant. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the methanolic extract of A. mexicana as an insecticide on Bactericera cockerelli. Thirteen metabolites were detected by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry; six were reported to have biological activity; the compound identified as 5,7,8,15-Tetrahydro-3,4-dimethoxy-6-methyl[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6e][2]benzazecin-14(6H)-one is the second most abundant and is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid. The observed mortality at 48 h was 83.6 and 83.9 % dependent on the high doses of 20 and 30 mg/mL; while at 72 h an increase in mortality up to 97.2 % was observed at concentrations of 8-30 mg/mL. LC50 was 7.63 mg/mL and an LC95 of 107.98 mg/mL. Analysis of the methanolic extract of A. mexicana leaves revealed that it can be used as a plant-derived insecticide by causing mortality in B. cockerelli nymphs.

Keywords : Alkaloid; benzylisoquinoline; chicalote; mortality; tomato psyllid.