Major Components of Dittrichia viscosa (Asteraceae) as a Source of New Pesticides Segura Navarro, María José Quílez Del Moral, José Francisco Andrés, María Fe de Valcárcel, Félix González Coloma, Azucena Molina Inzunza, Diego O. Fernández Barrero, Alejandro Natural products Terpenes Organic synthesis Ilicic acid, nerolidol, and 9-hydroxynerolidol are major components of the aerial parts of Dittrichia viscosa. These components were selectively isolated in multigram quantities and used as lead compounds to generate diversity in the search for new natural-productderived pesticides. A total of 29 derivatives of these three molecules—some of which are known natural products—were generated by subjecting these natural products to different transformations. In order to explore potential applications in sustainable biocontrol, some of the compounds generated were evaluated for plant protection potential against insect pests (Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi), against the nematode Meloidogyne javanica, and for their phytotoxic effects on ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Additionally, their effects against the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum have been tested. Compound 11 was found to be antifeedant against S. littoralis and nematicidal. Compounds 3a and 8 were potent antifeedants against R. padi. None of the tested compounds significantly inhibited lettuce growth, and compounds 17, 3, and 3a even promoted root development. Conversely, compounds 3, 4, 11, 17, and 21a exhibited strong herbicidal activity on ryegrass. In larvicidal assays against H. lusitanicum, compounds 3, 3a, 11, 17, 29, and 33 were active, with compound 29 being six times more active than the positive control nootkatone. 2025-10-10T11:33:22Z 2025-10-10T11:33:22Z 2025-10-01 journal article Segura-Navarro, M.J.; Quílez del Moral, J.F.; Andrés, M.F.; Valcárcel, F.; González-Coloma, A.; Molina Inzunza, D.O.; Barrero, A.F. Major Components of Dittrichia viscosa (Asteraceae) as a Source of New Pesticides. Molecules 2025, 30, 3950. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules 30193950 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/106960 10.3390/molecules 30193950 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ open access Atribución 4.0 Internacional MDPI