Purified Cladonia verticillaris lichen lectin: Insecticidal activity on Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Cladonia verticillaris lichen lectin (ClaveLL) was isolated through Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography and characterized as a pure lectin through ÄKTA-FPLC and HPLC systems. The lichen extract (LE), protein fraction (F1) and ClaveLL were assayed to evaluate their potential insecticidal and/or repellence activities on termite Nasutitermes corniger. LE, F1 and ClaveLL were evaluated for hemagglutinating activity (HA), protein concentration and presence of secondary metabolites; preparations and active ClaveLL, free of secondary metabolites, were able to induce termite mortality. ClaveLL LC50 values after 10 days for workers and soldiers were 0.196 and 0.5 mg ml−1, respectively. C. verticillaris preparations are potential tools for researches involving control of termites (or other insects) of economic interest to wooden industry or agriculture as well as preservation of plant species that are targets of termites or other plagues.