Comparative bioactivity of selected seed extracts from Brazilian Annona species and an acetogenin-based commercial bioinsecticide against Trichoplusia ni and Myzus persicae

• The potential of annonaceous derivatives as Brassica protectants was investigated.
• Annonaceous derivatives are toxic to insects through oral and topical administration.
• Annona mucosa seed extract was the most active against Trichoplusia ni.
• A. mucosa extract was also highly effective against Myzus persicae.
• A. mucosa extract showed efficacy superior to an acetogenin-based bioinsecticide.

The acute and chronic toxicity of ethanolic seed extracts from selected Brazilian Annona species (Annona montana Macfadyen, Annona mucosa Jacquin, Annona muricata Linnaeus, and Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil) and an acetogenin-based commercial bioinsecticide (Anosom®) were investigated against the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In the laboratory, extracts of A. mucosa and A. sylvatica as well as Anosom® were especially active through oral and topical administration. A greenhouse trial showed that a formulated A. mucosa extract and Anosom® were highly effective (>98% mortality) against third instar T. ni larvae, and comparable to a pyrethrin-based commercial insecticide (Insect Spray®) used as a positive control. Similar to results with T. ni, A. mucosa extract showed the greatest aphicidal activity followed by A. sylvatica extract and Anosom®. In another greenhouse trial, aphid population reduction from the formulated A. mucosa extract was superior to that provided by other treatments including the positive control. Though inferior to the A. mucosa extract, the acetogenin-based commercial insecticide (Anosom®) and A. sylvatica extract also reduced aphid populations in a manner comparable to the positive control. Botanical insecticides based on these Annonaceae derivatives could be useful in the framework of Brassica IPM in Brazil and elsewhere, especially for organic production.