Insecticidal Compositions and Uses Thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for controlling plant pests. In particular, the present invention provides plant extracts with insecticidal activity.

1 . A plant extract, wherein said plant extract exhibits biopesticide activity, and wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  A. vulgaris, H. helix, H. lupulus, L. temulentum, R. tinctoria, S. officinalis, S. nigra, U. dioica, Verbascum  spp.,  X. strumarium, C. album, R. lutea, S. nigrum, Bifora radians, A. lappa , and  C. maculatum.    
     
     
         2 . The plant extract of  claim 1 , wherein said biopesticide activity is selected from the group consisting of insecticide activity, insect repellent activity and insect antifeedant activity. 
     
     
         3 . The plant extract of  claim 1 , wherein said plant extract exhibits biopesticide activity against  Leptinotarsa decemlineata.    
     
     
         4 . A method, comprising,
 a) providing a plant extract, wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  A. vulgaris, H. helix, H. lupulus, L. temulentum, R. tinctoria, S. officinalis, S. nigra, U. dioica, Verbascum  spp.,  X. strumarium, C. album, R. lutea, S. nigrum, Bifora radians, A. lappa , and  C. maculatum ; and   b) contacting a plant of interest with said plant extract under conditions such that said plant extract exhibits biopesticide activity.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said biopesticide activity is selected from the group consisting of insecticide activity, insect repellent activity and insect antifeedant activity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said plant extract exhibits biopesticide activity against  Leptinotarsa decemlineata.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said plant of interest is a crop plant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said crop plant is a food crop. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said food crop is potato. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of contacting said plant with a known pesticide. 
     
     
         11 . A plant extract, wherein said plant extract exhibits bio-attractant activity, and wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  B. radians  and X strumarium. 
     
     
         12 . The plant extract of  claim 1 , wherein said bio-attractant activity attracts a leafroller. 
     
     
         13 . The plant extract of  claim 12 , wherein said leafroller is selected from the group consisting of a male obliquebanded leafroller, a female obliquebanded leafroller, a male redbanded leafroller, and a female redbanded leafroller. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising,
 a) providing a plant extract, wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  B. radians  and X strumarium; and   b) contacting said plant extract with a plant of interest or object of interest under conditions such that said plant extract exhibits bio-attractant activity.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said bio-attractant activity attracts a leafroller. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said leafroller is selected from the group consisting of a male obliquebanded leafroller, a female obliquebanded leafroller, a male redbanded leafroller, and a female redbanded leafroller. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said plant of interest is a crop plant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said crop plant is a food crop. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said food crop is a pome fruit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said pome fruit is apple. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of contacting said plant with a known pesticide. 
     
     
         22 . A plant extract, wherein said plant extract exhibits anti-oviposition activity, and wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  B. radians  and  A. lappa.    
     
     
         23 . The plant extract of  claim 22 , wherein said anti-oviposition activity is effective against a leafroller. 
     
     
         24 . The plant extract of  claim 23 , wherein said leafroller is selected from the group consisting of a female obliquebanded leafroller and a female redbanded leafroller. 
     
     
         25 . A method, comprising,
 a) providing a plant extract, wherein said plant extract is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of  B. radians  and  A. lappa ; and   b) contacting a plant of interest with said plant extract under conditions such that said plant extract exhibits anti-oviposition activity.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said anti-oviposition activity is active against a leafroller. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said leafroller is selected from the group consisting of a female obliquebanded leafroller and a female redbanded leafroller. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said plant of interest is a crop plant. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said crop plant is a food crop. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said food crop is a pome fruit. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said pome fruit is apple. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of contacting said plant with a known pesticide.