Colorado Potato Beetle Antifeedants by Simple Modification of the Birchbark Triterpene Betulin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jf00057a035

Oxidation of the 19-side-chain of betulin 3β,28-diacetate, a pentacyclic triterpene derived from the readily available birchbark triterpene, betulin, yielded compounds active as antifeedants against larvae of the agricultural insect pest Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata.Of the eight compounds investigated, the most active was 30-hydroxy-20-oxo-29-norlup-3β,28-diacetate (VI).Acetylation of VI significantly reduced antifeedant activity.Keywords: Antifeedant; betulin; Colorado potato beetle; Leptinotarsa decemlineata