Insecticidal activity of 12-epi-hapalindole J isonitrile

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of Fischerella ATCC 43239 (Stigonematales) was applied to determine the major insecticidal compounds in this biofilm-forming freshwater cyanobacterium. At 26 μM, 12-epi-hapalindole J isonitrile (1) killed 100% of the larvae of the dipteran Chironomus riparius within 48 h. Insecticidal activities were also found at similar concentration for three previously described hapalindoles.