A Semi-Field Approach to Testing Botanical Insecticides. Effects of Natural and Analogues Annonaceous Acetogenins on Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Annonaceous acetogenins enclose a large number of biological activities, among which the insecticidal stands out. Spodoptera frugiperda is a pest that affects corn crops among others and has a great capacity to develop resistance to traditional insecticides, which represents sufficient reasons for the search for new alternatives for their control. The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate concentration and screening new natural insecticides against second instar larvae of S. frugiperda, under glasshouse conditions on Zea mays L. Natural products such as annonaceous acetogenins and some acetylated and methoxy methylated ACG derivatives and the commercial product Lambda-cyhalotrin (LC) were evaluated. The percent mortalities of S. frugiperda larvae in glasshouse conditions were recorded after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment application. The results showed that the acetogenins tested were significantly (P S. frugiperda as a component of integrated pest management. The results allow us to infer that the addition of natural ACGs synergizes the insecticidal activity of the commercial product. Finding a new ecological alternative for insect control.