Antifeedant activity of gutta-percha against larvae of the Hyphantria cunea and Anoplophora glabripennis.

Eucommia ulmoidesis a small tree that has evolved strong pest resistance. This study investigated the mechanism of this resistance by evaluating pest damage and antifeedant activity of the secondary metabolite gutta-percha. In the field,E. ulmoidesdisplayed an average plant resistance of 93.3%, with most damage confined to leaves. We assessed the effects of gutta-percha as a feeding deterrent againstHyphantria cuneaandAnoplophora glabripennislarvae by mixing it into or daubing it onto the surface of artificial diets. Diets containing more than 6% gutta-percha significantly reduced the amount of feeding byA. glabripennislarvae and the body length ofH. cunealarvae. In addition, approximately 95% of the artificial diet was not consumed compared to the control without gutta-percha. The content, distribution, properties, and dynamics of gutta-percha inE. ulmoidesindicate that gutta-percha may function as a physical-chemical barrier against insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]