Insecticidal Activity of Huperzine A from the New Zealand Clubmoss, <i>Lycopodium varium</i>

Abstract

A bioactivity-directed investigation of an extract of the New Zealand clubmoss, Lycopodium varium, collected on subantarctic Campbell Island, has led to the isolation of the alkaloid huperzine A ( 1 ) as the major antifeedant and insecticidal component. Huperzine A showed insecticidal activity against the Australian carpet beetle, Anthrenocerus australis (LD 50 = 110 ppm), the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (LD 50 = 2380 ppm), and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (LD 50 = 630 ppm). Feeding by A. australis was reduced by 97% at 63 ppm. Keywords: Anthrenocerus australis; Lucilia cuprina; Tineola bisselliella; Lycopodium varium; huperzine A; alkaloid; insecticide