Original paper
Identification of a small molecular insecticidal toxin Philanthotoxin-7,4 in the predatory stink bug, Arma custos
Li, Juntao; Du, Zhao; Yang, Xiang; Li, Wenhong; Wen, Mingxia; Wang, Xinyi; Gbeinbo, Fiderikumo Livingstone; Yang, Jingyi; Huang, Chunyang; He, Yueping
Entomologia Generalis Volume 45 Number 6 (2025), p. 1743 - 1751
published: Dec 4, 2025
published online: Aug 20, 2025
manuscript accepted: Jun 30, 2025
final revised version received: May 7, 2025
manuscript revision requested: Feb 6, 2025
manuscript received: Dec 17, 2024
ArtNo. ESP146004506020, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Due to the increasing resistance to traditional insecticides and their negative impact on the ecological balance of pest control, there is a global trend to reduce pesticide use and develop efficient, low-toxicity and environmentally friendly biopesticides. Toxins with insecticidal or paralytic activity derived from the venom of predatory natural enemies have emerged as a novel strategy for the development of novel biopesticides. In this study, a small molecular toxin, philanthotoxin-7,4 (PhTx-74), was identified in the venom gland homogenates of the predatory stink bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Asopinae). Injection of PhTx-74 into Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae induced paralysis. Similarly, injections into Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae and Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) nymphs resulted in paralysis and subsequent mortality. The feeding of PhTx-74 to Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) larvae showed that PhTx-74 caused death. In addition, PhTx-74 exhibited no toxicity to the non-target organisms Danio rerio (Cyprinidae: Danionidae). This study identifies a small-molecule toxin with paralytic effects, demonstrating the potential of predatory insect venoms as sources of insecticidal agents.
Keywords
Spodoptera litura
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Nilaparvata lugens
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Danio rerio
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Myzus persicae
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venom gland •
paralysis