This research deals with the toxicity of 2-tridecanone and 2-undecanone allelochemicals, present in the grandular trichomes of Lycopersicon spp., to Phthorimaea operculella (Zell.). The toxicity of the exsudates of L. hirsutum f. glabratum PI 134117 (LD50), of the 2-tridecanone (lethal dose: LD50and lethal concentration: LC50) and 2-undecanone (LC50) to first instar larvae of this pest were determined. The LD50value was 5.54 glands and 775.53 ng per larvae, respectively. With respect to the lethal concentration, the 2-tridecanone was more toxic than the 2-undecanone. The toxicity (CL50) of the 2-tridecanone increased with the elevation of the temperature from 27 to 32°C, but decreased with the 2-undecanone. It was concluded that these compounds can have great importance in the resistance of the tomato plant to this pest.
Insecta; tomato; pest; plant resistance