Toxicity of indole derivatives on Plutella xylostella and selectivity to non-target organisms

Abstract

The use of organosynthetic insecticides for the control of Plutella xylostella diadmondback moth is related to problems such as resistance, environmental contamination and reduction of pollinators and natural enemies. Due to the deleterious effects of conventional insecticides on beneficial organisms, studies aimed at selecting new pest-efficient substances that are selective for beneficial insects are of great importance. Thus, the efficiency of 10 new indole derivatives to larvae of P. xylostella and their selectivity to adults of the pollinator Apis mellifera and the predatory wasps Polybia sericea, P. scutellaris and P. rejecta were evaluated. The compound with the highest toxicity to P. xylostella larvae was 4e, which was selective to beneficial insects. The insecticide deltamethrin (positive control) was highly toxic to beneficial organisms. Our results suggest the potential of control of the indole derivatives and their low effect on pollinators and natural enemies.