Base-catalysed hydrolysis of (E)- and (Z)-mevinphos

The rates at which (E)- and (Z)-mevinphos are hydrolysed in aqueous solutions in the pH range 8.7–11.5, and in the temperature range 30–50°C, have been measured. The overall activation parameters have been calculated, and equations to allow calculation of the rates in any basic conditions are given. The complicated routes by which (E)- and (Z)-mevinphos are hydrolysed to simple molecules have been deduced. The rates for the individual steps in each route have been either measured experimentally, or have been calculated through analogue simulation of all the reactions, by matching the calculated to the observed ultraviolet spectral changes during hydrolysis. It is proposed that (Z)-2-carboxyl-1-methylvinyl dimethyl phosphate is not observed as a hydrolysis product of (Z)-mevinphos because it decomposes by an extremely fast intramolecular reaction. The reasons for the greater lability of (E)-mevinphos are also discussed.     

Composition of essential oil of Chinese Chenopodium ambrosioides and insecticidal activity against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

BACKGROUND: In a screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. was found to possess strong fumigant activity against the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). Essential oil of C. ambrosioides was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the constituents were determined by GC‐MS analysis. The active compounds were isolated and identified by bioassay‐directed fractionation. RESULTS: Five active compounds [(Z)‐ascaridole, 2‐carene, ρ‐cymene, isoascaridole and α‐terpinene] were isolated and identified from the essential oil from Chinese C. ambrosioides. The LC₅₀ values (fumigation) of the crude essential oils and the active compound (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 3.08 and 0.84 mg L^?1 air respectively. The LD₅₀ values (contact toxicity) of the crude essential oil and (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 2.12 and 0.86 µg g^?1 body weight respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides and its main active constituent, (Z)‐ascaridole, may be explored as a natural potential fumigant. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sex attractant for the banana moth,Opogona sacchari Bojer (Lepidoptera: Tineidae): provisional identification and field evaluation

BACKGROUND: The banana moth, Opogona sacchari Bojer, is a polyphagous agricultural pest in many tropical areas of the world. The identification of an attractant for male O. sacchari could offer new methods for detection, study and control. RESULTS: A compound extracted from female O. sacchari elicited responses from antennae of male moths. This compound was identified as a 2/3,(Z)13‐octadecadienal by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. An analog, 2/3,(Z)13‐octadecadienol, was also detected in some extracts at roughly a 1:20 ratio (alcohol:aldehyde) but did not elicit responses from antennae of male moths. Electroantennograms of synthetic candidate dienals found the strongest responses from (Z, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal and (E, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal. In field trials, (E, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal attracted more male O. sacchari than (Z, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal. Attraction was not improved for either of these compounds when the corresponding stereoisomeric alcohol was added at ratios of 1:1, 1:10 or 1:100 (alcohol:aldehyde). Jackson sticky traps containing 250 µg lures of (E, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal caught as many males as did traps holding virgin females. CONCLUSION: (E, Z)‐2,13‐octadecadienal has been identified as an attractant for O. sacchari males and can be used as a monitoring lure of populations of this moth. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of temperature,organic amendment rate and moisture content on the degradation of 1,3‐dichloropropene in soil

1,3‐Dichloropropene (1,3‐D), which consists of two isomers, (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D, is considered to be a viable alternative to methyl bromide, but atmospheric emission of 1,3‐D is often associated with deterioration of air quality. To minimize environmental impacts of 1,3‐D, emission control strategies are in need of investigation. One approach to reduce 1,3‐D emissions is to accelerate its degradation by incorporating organic amendments into the soil surface. In this study, we investigated the ability of four organic amendments to enhance the rate of degradation of (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D in a sandy loam soil. Degradation of (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D was well described by first‐order kinetics, and rates of degradation for the two isomers were similar. Composted steer manure (SM) was the most reactive of the organic amendments tested. The half‐life of both the (Z)‐ and (E)‐isomers in unamended soil at 20 °C was 6.3 days; those in 5% SM‐amended soil were 1.8 and 1.9 days, respectively. At 40 °C, the half‐life of both isomers in 5% SM‐amended soil was 0.5 day. Activation energy values for amended soil at 2, 5 and 10% SM were 56.5, 53.4 and 64.5 kJ mol^?1, respectively. At 20 °C, the contribution of degradation from biological mechanisms was largest in soil amended with SM, but chemical mechanisms still accounted for more than 58% of the (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D degradation. The effect of temperature and amendment rate upon degradation should be considered when describing the fate and transport of 1,3‐D isomers in soil. Use of organic soil amendments appears to be a promising method to enhance fumigant degradation and reduce volatile emissions. Published in 2001 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Transformation of 3-Chloroallyl Alcohol in Water-Saturated Subsoil Studied with a Column Method

The performance of a newly developed column method for pesticide transformation rate measurements in the subsoil was tested using (Z)- and (E)-3-chloroallyl alcohol as model compounds. Sandy anaerobic water-saturated subsoil was collected at between 1·8 and 2·3 m below the surface of a flower-bulb field. Transformation rates were measured using subsoil columns that were filled in situ and were compared with the transformation rates in laboratory incubation systems. In the column experiment the half-life ranged from 0·5 to 5·2 days for (Z)-3-chloroallyl alcohol and from 1·0 to 5·5 days for (E)-3-chloroallyl alcohol. The capacity of the saturated subsoil for transformation of both isomers increased in the course of the column experiment. In the incubation experiment the 3-chloroallyl alcohols were transformed gradually in the first three days, with a half-life of 1·9 days for both isomers. Thereafter the transformation rate accelerated. The general conclusion is that the column method yields results similar to those of the incubation method for these rapidly transforming compounds.     

Semiochemical modulation of oviposition behaviour in the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

Bioassays have shown that sand freshly contaminated by ovipositing females of the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) is more effective in inducing further oviposition from conspecifics than contaminated sand stored for three or six months, which contrasts with results obtained previously with Locusta migratoria (Reiche & Farmaire). The activity of contaminated sand correlated with the levels of three unsaturated aliphatic ketones, (Z)-6-octen-2-one, (E,E)-3,5-octadien-2-one and its geometric isomer (E,Z)-3,5-octadien-2-one present in the volatile emissions from the sand.     

铜绿丽金龟对寄主植物挥发物的触角电生理及行为反应

为深入了解铜绿丽金龟的取食行为,探索开发安全高效的植物源引诱剂,应用昆虫触角电位反应仪和Y型嗅觉仪测试其对不同寄主植物挥发物的趋向行为差异,并根据室内行为结果配制诱剂进行大田试验。结果表明:铜绿丽金龟雄虫对水杨酸甲酯和(1,1’-联环戊基)-2-酮的触角电位反应(electroantennography,EAG)值显著高于其它试剂;石竹烯和水杨酸甲酯能引起雌虫触角较强的电位反应;乙酸顺式-3-己烯酯和石竹烯分别对雄虫和雌虫有较高的嗅觉选择反应率,分别达0.95和0.94。综合EAG和嗅觉试验结果,选择对雌、雄虫均有较好引诱效果的反式-2-己烯醛、乙酸顺式-3-己烯酯、石竹烯、(1,1’-联环戊基)-2-酮和水杨酸甲酯进行田间试验,最终筛选到铜绿丽金龟雄虫的最适引诱剂为每诱芯360 mg乙酸顺式-3-己烯酯,雌虫的最适引诱剂为每诱芯360 mg石竹烯,日诱虫量分别可达33.00±1.53头和29.33±1.45头。     

Development of single-dispenser pheromone suppression of Epiphyas postvittana, Planotortrix octo and Ctenopseustis obliquana in New Zealand stone fruit orchards

BACKGROUND: Pheromones of two native leafrollers of economic importance to the New Zealand horticulture industry, Planotortrix octo [(Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and tetradecyl acetate] and Ctenopseustis obliquana [(Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate], were reinvestigated and combined with pheromone of Epiphyas postvittana [light‐brown apple moth, (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl actetate and (E, E)‐9,11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate] to develop a single dispenser for mating disruption of three pest species for integrated pest management. RESULTS: Additional compounds identified from pheromone gland extracts were characterised as repellents for P. octo. However, for C. obliquana from Central Otago, a change in ratio of (Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and the addition of three compounds found in the gland (dodecyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate and hexadecanal) led to a significant improvement in catch over previous lures. Males from Central Otago showed antennal electrophysiological responses to hexadecanal, unlike C. obliquana from Auckland, which did not. Three multiple‐species disruption blends were devised in a single dispenser to target E. postvittana, P. octo and C. obliquana. Disruption of traps was recorded in single‐tree replicates with all three blends, but the five‐component blend was overall most effective at disruption and was deployed area wide in commercial orchard plots. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of single dispensers into commercial stone fruit orchards led to disruption of trapping for the three species and measurable reductions in insecticide use in cherries, peaches and nectarines without increased fruit damage (assessed in apricots). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The discovery of HNPC‐A3066: a novel strobilurin acaricide

BACKGROUND: Although more than ten strobilurin analogues have been commercialized since 1996 as fungicides, only one was available as an acaricide as of 2003. To search for novel strobilurin analogues with unique biological activities, a synthetic screening programme was carried out. RESULTS: Syntheses of compounds analogous to the commercialized fungicide metominostrobin and the acaricide fluacrypyrim led to the discovery of a lead compound, (E)‐2‐{2‐[[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]methyl]phenyl}‐2‐(methoxyimino)‐N‐methylacetamide (3b), that showed moderate acaricidal activity against Tetranychus urticae Koch. Compound 3b has a 3,5‐(CF₃)₂‐phenoxymethyl group instead of the unsubstituted phenoxy substituent in metominostrobin. Optimization of compound 3b was achieved by introducing an oxime ether bridge along with an alkylthio(alkyl) branch in place of the oxymethylene chain between two aromatic moieties, as well as by replacing the methoxyiminoacetamide group with a methoxyacrylate structure, leading to (E)‐ methyl 2‐{2‐[[[(Z)[1‐(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)‐2‐methylthioethylidene]amino]oxy] methyl]phenyl}‐3‐methoxyacrylate (6c) and (E)‐ methyl 2‐{2‐[[[(Z)[1‐(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)‐1‐methylthiomethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]phenyl}‐3‐methoxyacrylate (9a, HNPC‐A3066). CONCLUSION: The above two compounds (6c, 9a) were shown to exhibit potent acaricidal and fungicidal activity. Compound 9a (HNPC‐A3066) also exhibits larvicidal and ovicidal activities against various acarids. The acaricidal potency is comparable with those of commercial acaricides such as fluacrypyrim, tebufenpyrad and chlorfenapyr. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

(2E,4Z )-Decadienoic acid and (2E,4Z,7Z )-decatrienoic acid,two herbicidal metabolites from Streptomyces viridochromogenes Tü 6105

Two fatty acids, (2E,4Z)-decadienoic acid and (2E,4Z,7Z)-decatrienoic acid, the latter being described for the first time as a natural product, were detected in the culture filtrate of Streptomyces viridochromogenes Tü 6105 by HPLC-diode array screening, purified by chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by NMR techniques. Both metabolites show strong herbicidal activity against Lemna minor and Lepidium sativum. The herbicidal activities of the isolated compounds were compared with those of similar fatty acids and derivatives. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cereal plants infested with crown rot: their identity and their capacity for inducing production of VOCs in uninfested plants

When infested with Fusarium sp., the cereals Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori et Paol. cv. ‘Bombona’, Avena sativa L. cv. ‘Deresz’, and Hordeum vulgare L. cv. ‘Rastik’ can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs differ both qualitatively and quantitatively from those emitted by non-infested wheat, oat, and barley plants. We detected increased amounts of VOCs released by green leaves (green leaf volatiles – GLVs): (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, 1-hexyl acetate as well as the other VOCs like (Z)-ocimen, linalol, linaloloxide, benzyl acetate, indole, and β-caryophyllene. The lipoxygenase pathway resulted in the highest release of GLVs in comparison to the other biochemical pathways of volatile production. As a result of Fusarium infestation, the amounts of VOCs varied between tested cereals. We also subjected uninfested wheat, barley, and oat plants to infested wheat plants, and found that these cereals released larger amounts of VOCs compared to control plants. Emitted amounts of VOCs were significantly higher the shorter the distance between uninfested and infested plants.     

Effects of abamectin on intracellular potassium ion activity and membrane potential in dipteran skeletal muscle

The effects of abamectin (AVMB₁) on intracellular potassium ion activity (aK_i) and resting membrane potential (E_m) of the skeletal muscle cells of final instar larvae of Phormia terraenovae (Diptera) were investigated using K⁺-selective micro-electrodes. Bathing the preparation in 10^? M AVMB₁(+ 1 ml litre^?1 dimethylsulfoxide) for 60 min caused a significant (31%) decrease in aK_i, whilst E_m depolarized on average by 19 mV (nearly 50% of the original control value). The difference E_K-E_m increased by 9 mV, although E_K (potassium equilibrium potential) remained more negative than E_m. These results could be due to a cationic effect of AVMB₁ possibly involving an increase in K⁺ and Na⁺ conductances of the muscle plasma membrane.     

Synthesis and Mosquito Repellent Properties of 2,2-Dialkyl- and 2-Alkyl-4,4-dimethyl-N-acetyloxazolidines

Nineteen novel N-acetyl-2,2-dialkyloxazolidines ( 2 ) and N-acetyl-2-alkyl-4,4-dimethyloxazolidines ( 3 ) were synthesized from commercially available carbonyl compounds and ethanolamine or 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. Their bioactivity against laboratory-reared mosquitoes was compared in patch tests to known N-acetyl-2-alkyloxazolidines ( 1 ) and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet insect repellent). Isomeric composition measurements by [¹³C]NMR spectroscopy favoured the Z rotational isomer for samples of 2 (91–96% Z) and the E rotational isomer for samples of 3 (66–71% E), in agreement with molecular mechanics calculations on rotational isomers of model oxazolidines. Samples of 1 were previously shown to exist in solution mostly as the Z isomer (60–70% Z). Within the optimal molecular weight range for these experimental chemicals, the duration of repellency against Aedes aegypti (L.), Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann generally followed the order: 1 > 2 >deet> 3 . Bioassay data are discussed in relation to the equilibrium populations of rotational isomers for substituted N-acetyloxazolidines.     

Optimization of hydroponic bioassay for herbicide tepraloxydim by using water free from chlorine

Initial attempts to develop a hydroponic bioassay test for tepraloxydim failed due to lack of repeatability. Investigation of the fate of tepraloxydim in test media revealed that small residues of chlorine and chloramines present on distilled water cause fast degradation of the herbicide. Half‐life of tepraloxydim in the presence of a chlorine excess was determined to be DT₅₀ < 5 s. Reaction with chloramines was slower (DT₅₀ = 4.5 h). Finally, when this factor was eliminated by using water completely free of chlorine, the main process that took place was the isomerization of the oxime group (E vs. Z). However, the overall degradation was slow (DT₅₀ = 17 days) and the hydroponic bioassay was optimized in the absence of chlorine.     

Dialkyl phosphorofluoridates and alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates as disruptants of moth sex pheromone-mediated behavior

A series of dialkyl phosphorofluoridates and alkyl methylphosphono-fluoridates in which one or two of the alkyl moieties were long-chain alkyl groups were synthesized and examined for their ability to disrupt moth sex pheromone-mediated behavior of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta. Disruption of pheromone-mediated behavior was found only for those compounds containing a (Z)-8-dodecenyl moiety, i.e. the alkyl substituent of the principal pheromone component ((Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate) of the oriental fruit moth. Di-((Z)-8-dodecenyl) phosphorofluoridate was nearly as disruptive as (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate.     

The degradation of (Z)- and (E)-1,3-dichloropropenes and 1,2-dichloropropane in soil

The degradation in soil of the major constituents of a 1,3-dichloropropene-1,2-dich-loropropane nematicide has been studied under laboratory and outdoor conditions. In sealed glass containers, ( Z)- and ( E)-1,3-dichloropene- 2-¹⁴C were converted in soil into the corresponding 3-chloroallyl alcohols and these alcohols were in part strongly bound to the soil. The ( Z)- and ( E)-3-chloroacrylic acids were also found as minor products. More polar products were detected and these released the chloroacrylic acids in 20–30% yield upon hydrolysis. Although the 1,3-dichloropropenes were lost by volatilisation from soil stored in open glass jars outdoors, they also underwent degradation to the same products that were detected in sealed containers. There was evidence of only slight degradation of 1,2-dichloropropane- 2-¹⁴C (4 % or less of the applied radioactivity remained unextracted from a loam soil after 5 months). When soil treated with the 1,2-dichloropropane was stored outdoors in an open glass container, less than 1 % of the original radiolabel remained in the soil after 10 days under these conditions due to volatilisation of the applied material. In a separate experiment potatoes were grown in soil 6 months after treatment with a mixture of both ( Z)- and ( E)-1,3-dichloropropene- 2-¹⁴C and 1,2-dichloropropane- 2-¹⁴C. Although 5 % of the applied radiolabel remained in the soil at potato harvest the potato tubers contained only a very small residue (0.007 mg/kg).     

Rhizome-induction activity of chiral 2-α-methylbenzylamino-4-alkylamino-6-chloro-1, 3, 5-triazines in Cyperus serotinus Rottb.

A cytokinin-like effect of chiral 2-α-methylbenzylamino-4-alkylamino-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazines was found using a rhizome-inducing assay with Cyperus serotinus Rottb. tubers. C. serotinus tubers germinated in distilled water yielded plantlets with roots and leaves. Secondary rhizomes were normally not observed within the regular 14-day incubation time in water culture, whereas after increasing incubation periods a very short rhizome appeared (controls). 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) significantly stimulated rhizome induction, while other plant hormones were inactive. The (R)-isomers of the 1, 3, 5-triazine compounds also stimulated induction of the rhizomes, whereas the (S)-isomers did not. The described rhizome induction system seems to be suitable as a cytokinin bioassay. The (R)-1, 3, 5-triazine compounds showing rhizome-inducing activity (RI activity) inhibited root formation and plant growth at high concentrations with symptoms which were very similar to those of BA. Therefore, the (R)-isomers appear to act as cytokinins in the rhizome induction assay.     

Some fluorine-containing pheromone analogues

Two analogues of the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene, a trifluorofarnesene and a difluoro-1-norfarnesene, were found to be highly active and were more readily detectable than the parent compound. For (Z)-hexadec-11-enal, a component of some lepidopteran sex attractant pheromones, replacement of the carbonyl oxygen with a difluoromethyl group to give a difluoroheptadecadiene resulted in loss of activity. A trifluoroacetoxyhexadecanolide was a more volatile analogue of the mosquito oviposition pheromone (?)-(5R,6S)-6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide and was highly active.     

Thermal requirements and population dynamics of root‐knot nematodes on cucumber and yield losses under protected cultivation

Several studies were carried out to determine (i) thermal requirements for development, egg production and emergence of juveniles, and completion of the life cycle of Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica on cucumber, (ii) the maximum multiplication rate and the equilibrium density of root‐knot nematodes on cucumber and yield losses in pot and plastic greenhouse experiments, and (iii) the relationships between relative leaf chlorophyll content (RLCC) and relative cucumber dry top weight biomass (RDTWB) in relation to increasing nematode densities at planting (P_i) in pot experiments. Thermal requirements of M. incognita and M. javanica on cucumber did not differ, irrespective of the biological stage. In the pot experiments, M. javanica completed one generation. The maximum multiplication rate (a) was 833, and the equilibrium density (E) varied according to the effective inoculum densities. The relationship between RDTWB and P_i fitted the Seinhorst damage function model. The RLCC value at 40 or 50 days post‐inoculation also fitted the damage model and was related to RDTWB. In greenhouse experiments, conducted from 2009 to 2012, M. incognita completed three generations. The values for a and E were 1147 and 625 second stage juveniles (J2) per 250 cm³ soil, respectively. The tolerance limit was below zero, and the minimum relative yield ranged from 0·12 to 0·34.     

Toxicity of ddt and malathion to various larval stages of Mamestra brassicae L.

The toxicity of DDT and malathion to the larvae of Mamestra brassicae was determined following several methods of application. The toxicity (LD₅₀), expressed as μg insecticide per g of insect, did not change significantly between larval instars (a) when either insecticide was injected into fourth to sixth instars; (b) when DDT was applied in the food of fifth and sixth instars; or (c) when malathion was applied topically to second to sixth instars. Significant changes in toxicity were found between successive instars when DDT was applied topically, but there was no clear trend. When malathion was applied in the food, the fifth instars were more susceptible than the sixth instars; it was found that the former consumed a toxic dose of malathion at a greater rate, and that probably malathion was degraded in the gut at a slower rate. In a contact test, the first to third instars were far more susceptible than the later instars to malathion; with DDT this trend was much less marked. Uptake studies with [¹⁴C]malathion showed that differences in the contact toxicity of malathion between instars could be explained, at least partly, by the decline in uptake per unit weight with increasing larval size.