Allelochemical effects of eudesmane and eremophilane sesquiterpenes on Tribolium castaneum larvae.

Eight eudesmane and eremophilane sesquiterpenes administered to Tribolium castaneum larvae caused different allelochemical effects. Topical application of 3-oxo-gamma-costic acid produced the greatest lengthening in the duration of the pupal stage. Morphological deformities were found, specifically when ilicic, costic, and gamma-costic acids and costic aldehyde were used. Ilicic acid exhibited the major toxicity 72 hr following topical application. All compounds were significantly toxic at the end point of the experiment (60 days). Treated surface toxicity was lower than when topical assays were carried out. Responses to tessaric acid in choice bioassays had the highest attractive effect. Maximum repellency was caused by the 3-oxo-gamma-costic acid. However, experimental series carried out using gamma-costic acid, eremophilan-1(10),2,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid, costic aldehyde, and ilicic aldehyde showed no clear response.