Formicidal activity of indole derivatives on Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier): Lethal, behavioural and locomotive effects

Abstract

The leaf‐cutting ants of the genus Atta are of extreme importance for agriculture and forestry. Few active products can be employed to control these pests and, therefore, the discovery of new insecticidal products represents a fundamental strategy for its management. In this study, we evaluated the mortality, behaviour and locomotion of workers of Atta opaciceps (Borgmeier) exposed to synthesized indole derivatives. The most active compound was 4d [1‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)pentan‐1‐one] (LD50 = 0.018 μg/mg), while the 4e [1‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)hexan‐1‐one] (LD50 = 3.82 μg/mg) was the least active compound. These two derivatives reduced the survival of A. opaciceps over time and altered the behaviour and locomotion of these ants. This study demonstrates the potential of indole derivatives to produce new formicidal products, since, in addition to being effective, it also affects the ant's behaviour and locomotion.

What Goes in Must Come Out? The Metabolic Profile of Plants and Caterpillars, Frass, And Adults of Asota (Erebidae: Aganainae) Feeding on Ficus (Moraceae) in New Guinea

“…Indoles are a class of alkaloids best avoided by invertebrate and vertebrate predators alike, as their effects are deleterious and can extend to behavioural modi cations. Indole derivatives, for example, increase mortality (likely through neurotoxic activity) in ants (Costa et al 2019), which are important predators of caterpillars in tropical forests (Sam et al 2015). Indoles are also widely employed as signalling molecules and are able to counter viral and bacterial pathogens (Lee et al 2015).…”

Formicidal Potential of Thymol Derivatives: Adverse Effects on the Survival and Behavior of Acromyrmex balzani

“…Studies have shown that altering a parent molecule can cause changes in the bioactivity of compounds [8,21,23]. In the present study, we synthesized new molecules derived from thymol and evaluated the bioactivity of these compounds on leaf-cutting ants.…”

“…One of the difficulties in controlling leaf-cutting ants, for example, is the lack of knowledge about their complex social structure, in addition to their collective defenses (e.g., prophylactic behaviors) that can reduce control efficiency [3,4]. Behaviors carried out among ants such as cleaning, trophallaxis and other types of physical contact, such as antennation [5,6], can contribute to a faster distribution of insecticides within the colony [7,8].…”

Design, Synthesis, and Insecticidal Activity of Novel Pyrido[1, 2-a]pyrimidinone Mesoionic Compounds Containing an Indole Moiety as Potential Acetylcholine Receptor Insecticides

“…The indole skeleton is an aromatic heterocyclic ring and is widely found in natural products, including different kinds of plants, animals, and marine organisms. It can bind with a variety of receptors, and indole derivatives have various biological activities, such as insecticidal, , antiviral, , antibacterial activities . In this study, the natural product indole was introduced into part C of the mesoionic pyridopyrimidine ring and conjugated with it, and a series of novel mesoionic derivatives were synthesized (Figure ).…”