INSECTICIDAL AND ANTIFEEDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS FROM ALLIUM ROTUNDUM L.

The species of the genus Allium L., one of the largest genera of higher plants, occupying a significant place in the modern plant world, are of great interest both from the theoretical and from the practical point of view. Plants of Allium spp. accumulate a large amount of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (flavonoids and its glycosides, coumarins, anthocyanins, catechins), amino acids and organosulfur compounds, such as allicin – a precursor for alkaloids and saponins formation. Secondary metabolites of Allium spp. have been successfully used during the past few decades in plants protection against pests and pathogens. We have earlier reported about high insecticidal and antifeedant properties of extracts from A. subhirsutum L., A. narcissiflorum Vill. and A. ramosum L. The highest insecticidal properties against imago (20.0%) and larvae (60.0%) of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidaea) were demonstrated by extract from aerial part of A. subhirsutum. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the insecticidal, antifeedant and repellent properties of A. rotundum L. extracts against various species of insects. As a result, it was found that the ethanolic extracts from the aerial part possessed the moderate level (40.0%) of insecticidal properties against the larvae of the L. decemlineata and low – against the imago (6.7-13.3%). Moreover, the extracts of A. rotundum showed moderate level of insecticidal, antifeedant and repellent activity against the larvae of lepidopterans (cotton budworm Helicoverpa armigera and wax moths Galleria mellonella).