Evaluation of the insecticidal potential of dihydrobenzofuran neolignans against silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci biotype b)

Abstract

The silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the main pests in fields and greenhouses worldwide. This species causes great economic losses in vegetable crops; beans, soybean, cotton, and peanuts plantations; and ornamentals plants. This insect damages plants by direct feeding and transmission of numerous bacteria and phytopathogenic viruses. Over the last decade, silverleaf whitefly management relied only on the use of organophosphates, synthetic carbamates, and pyrethroids. However, uncontrolled use and lack of rotation of these insecticides resulted not only in resistance development, but also in elimination of some of the silverleaf whitefly natural enemies, thereby contributing to selection of resistant individuals. In this scenario, the search for novel active compounds against B. tabaci is crucial. This project aims to investigate the insecticidal potential of some dihydrobenzofuran neolignans against B. tabaci biotype B. Many biological activities have been reported for this class of compounds, but their insecticidal potential still remains little explored. The dihydrobenzofuran neolignans to be evaluated in this project will be synthesized by oxidative coupling of phenylpropanoids according to a methodology that mimics the biosynthesis of these compounds in plants. The results will be unprecedented in the literature because the insecticidal, deterrent and/or repellent effects of dihydrobenzofuran neolignans have not yet been reported. (AU)