Lack of chemical factors in host-plant resistance of alfalfa towards alfalfa weevil: Ovicidal activity of some coumarin derivatives.

A resistant line of alfalfa was studied in an attempt to identify possible chemical factors responsible for alfalfa weevil (Hypera brunneipennis) resistance. Bioassays were developed to measure ovicidal, larval development, pupation, and adult development rates. Serial alfalfa extracts of a weevil-resistant line showed no effect in the bioassays when compared to those of a weevil-susceptible line. It was concluded that resistance substances are not present but that resistant lines are simply more tolerant to weevil attack. Alfalfa constitutents and synthetic analogs were also screened in the egg hatch bioassay. Among these were a series of 3-acyl-4-hydroxycoumarins. 3-Acyl-4-hydroxycoumarins with short-chain acyl groups showed good ovicidal rates, but activity decreased with increasing length of the acyl group.