Acaricidal Activity of Lupeol from Inula britanica against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Extracts of Inula britanica were bioassayed to determine their acaricidal activities against Tetranychus cinnabarinus in the laboratory. The results showed lupeol from I. britanica is toxic to these mites, which showed high mite mortality. The present paper reports lupeol changed the balance of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Na+-ATPase, POD, and catalase to damage the cuticle, muscular filament, nuclear membrane, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum of treated mite, then ultimately killed T. cinnabarinus. This study is the first to report the acaricidal property of I. britanica and its potential as a botanical pest control agent.