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Antimetabolic effects of plant lectins towards nymphal stages of the planthoppers Tarophagous proserpina and Nilaparvata lugens

2001; Wiley; Volume: 99; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1570-7458.2001.00803.x

1570-7458

K.S. Powell,

Livestock and Poultry Management

Abstract Taro Colocasia esculenta (L. Schott) and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) form a major part of the staple diet of pacific islanders. Pest constraints hamper the sustainability of taro and rice production in the Pacific region. Insect feeding trials were conducted in vitro to determine the effects of plant lectins against planthopper pests of taro and rice. Lectins were incorporated into artificial diet at 0.1% (w/v) level. The lectins Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) and concanavalin A (Con A) showed significant antimetabolic effects towards third instar nymphs of taro planthopper ( Tarophagous proserpina Kirkaldy) whilst Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) showed no significant effects toward the insect. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus agglutinin (PTA) showed significant antimetabolic effects towards third instar nymphs of rice brown planthopper ( Nilaparvata lugens Stål). PTA also reduced honeydew excretion levels of rice brown planthopper, over a 24‐hour period, demonstrating antifeedant properties of the protein.