Pyrethrins – secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity

Abstract

Plants’ secondary metabolites have an important role in the plant’s response to abiotic and biotic stress. Some of the bioactive components have pronounced insecticidal properties, so they are called insecticidal plants such as Dalmatian (Tanacetum cinerariifolium /Trevir./ Sch. Bip.) and Caucasian pyrethrum (Tanacetum coccineum (Willd.) Grierson) (active components - pyrethrins), tobacco (nicotine), neem (azadirachtin), etc. Botanical insecticides are generally having shorter persistence. Based on their chemical structures, more stable synthetic insecticides have been developed – pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. With the restrictions in use of chemical insecticides, botanical insecticides are gaining an increasingly significant role in conventional plant protection, not only ecological. Natural pyrethrins are especially important. Due to their quick decomposition, they have a short withdrawal period, which is often a shortcoming, but it is also suitable for protecting plants before harvesting, which is especially suitable for spotted wing drosophila’s control.

Keywords

• botanical insecticides
• dalmatian pyrethrum
• tamacetum cinerariifolium
• biopesticides
• organic