Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity of Eschweilera jefensis Organic Extracts Against Aphis gossypii

Aphis gossypii is a major pest that harms crops like industrial tomatoes in Panama. Recent resistance to synthetic insecticides has prompted interest in using plant secondary metabolites as eco-friendly alternatives. While some plants with insecticidal properties are well-known, others remain unexplored but could offer effective solutions. This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of ethanolic extracts from the stems and leaves of Eschweilera jefensis against nymphs and adults of Aphis gossypii. Extracts were tested at three concentrations (25, 50, and 100 µg/L), with mortality assessed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-application. The LC50 values for the stem extract were 66.5, 36.8, and 31.0 μg/L, and for the leaf extract, they were 37.3, 28.4, and <25 μg/L at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. An advanced metabolomic analysis was conducted to identify the active compounds in each extract. This analysis uncovered several pentacyclic triterpenes, which, known for their insecticidal properties, are likely the key bioactive components responsible for the observed effects. Advanced metabolic analyses also revealed that the leaf extract, displaying the strongest insecticidal activity, is primarily composed of friedelin, while the stem extract contains betulin as their key active compounds. Furthermore, 29 known compounds were identified across both extracts, representing the first comprehensive report on the metabolic composition of E. jefensis, which underscores the significance of these findings. Together, these results suggest that E. jefensis extracts could serve as a promising natural alternative to synthetic insecticides for the management and control of A. gossypii.