ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The effect of Hortia oreadica Groppo (Rutaceae) extracts on the growth, feeding and digestive enzymes of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner [1818] (Erebidae)
1
Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa Rio Paranaíba, Brazil
2
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa Rio Paranaíba, Brazil
3
Chemistry Institute, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Avenida Esperança, Goiania, Brazil
4
Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa Rio Paranaíba, Brazil
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-03-20
Acceptance date: 2025-07-11
Online publication date: 2026-03-23
Corresponding author
Liliane Evangelista Visotto
Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa Rio Paranaíba, Brazil
Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa Rio Paranaíba, Brazil
Journal of Plant Protection Research 2026;1(66):111-120
HIGHLIGHTS
- H. oreadica extracts showed activity against A. gemmatalis
- HE is the most effective, causing the greatest mortality
- Biological parameters were negatively affected by HE and DEAE extracts
- HE negatively affected the insect's nutritional indices and enzymatic activities
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The effects of four extracts of Hortia oreadica Groppo (Rutaceae) on the biological parameters,
nutritional indices, and activity of digestive enzymes of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner
[1818] (Erebidae) were evaluated. Newly hatched caterpillars were subjected to extracts
from H. oreadica extracted with hexane (HE), dichloromethane (DE), dichloromethane
fractionated with ethyl acetate (DEAE) and dichloromethane fractionated with dichloromethane
(DDE) at concentrations 0, 100, 500 and 1000 μg ꞏ ml–1. The results showed
that treatments significantly increased the cumulative mortality rate of A. gemmatalis and
that HE 100 μg ꞏ ml–1 was the most effective, causing 92% of insects’ deaths. The period of
larval development was significantly shorter with treatments HE 100 and 500 μg ꞏ ml–1 and
longer with DEAE (all concentrations). The pupal weight was lower in the treatments HE
1000 μg ꞏ ml–1 and in all doses tested of the DEAE treatment. The morphological integrity
of pupae and adults was not affected. The lowest values of relative food consumption rate,
relative metabolic rate, and relative growth rate were observed in the HE 100 μg ꞏ ml–1 treatment.
In most treatments, there was a reduction in the activity of total proteases, serine and
cysteine proteases, and amylase. The results suggest that the HE extract of H. oreadica is
the most efficient in controlling A. gemmatalis, due to the presence of deterrent metabolites
that affect the insect’s digestion and nutrition and consequently promote adverse effects on
its development and mortality.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would
also like to thank the National Council for Scientific
and Technological Development (CNPq) and Coordination
of Higher Level Staff Improvement (CAPES) for
granting the scholarship and the Federal University of
Viçosa – Campus Rio Paranaíba for support and conditions
for carrying out this study.
FUNDING
The present work was supported by the Research Supporting
Foundation of Minas Gerais State (FAPEMIG)
[project number APQ 04585-10].
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Magdalena Karbowska-Dzięgielewska
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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