Evaluation of Statins as Potential Bioagents Suppressing the Development of Insect Pests

Abstract

This study assesses the potential of a novel plant protection strategy based on limiting the supply of essential sterols to insect pests. The approach involves treating plants with statins that inhibit sterol precursor biosynthesis. Laboratory experiments were conducted using the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) and the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.) as model organisms. Increasing compactin concentrations significantly reduced the average weight of L. decemlineata larvae (by 40.6% at 0.1%), pupae (by 15.2% and 22.8% at 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively), and adults (by 14.9% and 22.9% at 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively). Compactin at 0.05% and 0.1% also prolonged the larval stage by 4.0 and 4.8 days, respectively. In contrast, 0.1% lovastatin had no significant effect on the beetle development. For the greenhouse whitefly, the results were inconclusive regarding the feasibility of compactin for developmental suppression. These discrepancies may be attributed to differences in the systemic transport of compactin and lovastatin within plants, differential sensitivity of HMG-CoA reductase to specific statins, or species-specific physiological traits. Overall, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors show promise for insect pest management, although further studies are required.