Antifeedant activities of flavonoids and their related compounds against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki
IRG/WP 99-10305
W Ohmura, S Doi, M Aoyama, S Ohara
Antifeedant activities of some flavonoids and their related compounds against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were examined with no-choice and two-choice tests. The activities of these compounds were considered in relation to their chemical structures. All flavonoids tested showed antifeedant activities whereas catechinic acid without A-ring and pyran ring in the molecule showed attractant activity. As to the chemical structure-activity relationships, it was found that compounds containing two hydroxyl groups at C-5 and C-7 in A-rings showed the significant antifeedant activities. The presence of carbonyl group at C-4 in pyran rings was necessary for the occurrence of extreme activities. Flavonols and flavanonols with 3', 4'-dihydroxylated B-rings exhibited activities higher than those with 4'-hydroxylated or with 3',4',5'-trihydroxylated B-rings.
Keywords: COPTOTERMES FORMOSANUS SHIRAKI; ANTIFEEDANT ACTIVITY; FLAVONOIDS; CHEMICAL STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP