Ultra-structural changes in the integument induced by the use of three of six forms of allylisothiocyanate tested against Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae larvae

The insecticidal activity of four forms of Hong Jing (HJ) allylisothiocyanate (AITC), AITC + cypermethrin (HJA, HJB, and HJC) with ratio of (1:1, 4:1, and 2:1), pure AITC (HJD), and two forms of Hong Du (HD) AITC, AITC + chlorpyrifos (HDA and HDB) with ratio of (2:1 and 2:1), respectively, were studied on the major cruciferous insect larvae Plutella xylostella (L.) and Pieris rapae (L.) by combining both spraying and dipping methods. The P. rapae was more susceptible than P. xylostella larvae. The LC50 values 72 h after treatment of AITC forms (HJB, HJA, HJC, HJD, HDB, and HDA) on the P. rapae were; 0.07, 0.08, 0.16, 0.83, 0.26, 1.08 gL−1, and 0.69, 0.26, 5.45, 0.93, 3.01, 5.98 gL−1 on the P. xylostella, respectively. The toxicity of some of the AITC forms was very close to or better than that of the commercial contact insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (LC50 = 0.03 and 0.04 gL−1 on P. rapae and P. xylostella, respectively), and cypermethrin (0.65 and 0.78 gL−1, respectively, against P. rapae and P. xylostella). The ultrastructural studies on the integument of the third larval instar of P. xylostella treated by sub-lethal concentration (LC20) of HJB, HJD, and HDB were carried out by using transmission electron microscope. The more pronounced alterations in the hypodermis and mitochondria cells. They exhibited changes in all treated samples. The hypodermis was almost completely destroyed, and the mitochondria exhibited morphological alterations, represented by enlargement, matrix rarefaction and vacuolization of the mitochondria matrix, quantity of cristae reduced, and density electron matrix lessened. These AITC forms have potential as contact insecticides, and the ultra structural observations confirm the insecticidal efficiency of different AITC forms on P. rapae and P. xylostella.

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► Six AITC forms were tested on cruciferous larvae using spraying and dipping methods.
► AITC + cypermethrin were better than AITC + chlorpyrifos and pure AITC.
► Some AITC forms were close to chlorpyrifos and better than cypermethrin in toxicity.
► AITC forms may act on respiratory system illustrated by mitochondrial observations.