antifeedant
Quick Summary
An antifeedant is a substance, either natural or synthetic, that stops or inhibits feeding by pests, particularly insects. These compounds are often plant-derived and can act as repellents as well.1
Many plants produce secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids and terpenes, which serve as defenses against herbivores. These chemicals can deter insects from feeding by making the plant unpalatable or even toxic. For example, tannins and alkaloids are commonly deterrent to herbivores. Some insects, like monarch butterfly larvae, can tolerate and even sequester these toxic compounds, gaining protection from their own predators.23
Chemical control of insects in agriculture includes insecticides, some of which function as antifeedants. However, concerns exist regarding their impact on beneficial insects, wildlife, and potential for resistance development.4
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
chemoreceptionPhagostimulationAlthough most secondary compounds are deterrent to the vast majority of species, there are some cases in which these compounds act as essential sign stimuli for an animal, indicating that it has the correct food. This is true for many insects that are oligophagous or monophagous on plants that contain…
Read MoreAlthough most secondary compounds are deterrent to the vast majority of species, there are some cases in which these compounds act as essential sign stimuli for an animal, indicating that it has the correct food. This is true for many insects that are oligophagous or monophagous on plants that contain…
Read More- chemoreceptionDeterrents and repellents
Many secondary compounds have low volatility and usually serve to reduce or completely inhibit feeding by most plant-feeding insects. Secondary compounds only affect an animal when it makes contact with the plant, which generally occurs when the animal bites into the plant.…
Read MoreMany secondary compounds have low volatility and usually serve to reduce or completely inhibit feeding by most plant-feeding insects. Secondary compounds only affect an animal when it makes contact with the plant, which generally occurs when the animal bites into the plant.…
Read More - chemoreceptionDefensive tastes
These compounds are highly deterrent to ants and mammals. However, it should be noted that not all nonvolatile defensive chemicals are detected by the animals that encounter these plants and animals, and, if the chemicals are toxic, avoidance must depend on learning to associate illness with the flavor of…
Read MoreThese compounds are highly deterrent to ants and mammals. However, it should be noted that not all nonvolatile defensive chemicals are detected by the animals that encounter these plants and animals, and, if the chemicals are toxic, avoidance must depend on learning to associate illness with the flavor of…
Read More - chemoreceptionEarly experience
…a reduced sensitivity to mild deterrents in the experienced host and an enhanced sensitivity to the plant-specific phagostimulants.
Read More…a reduced sensitivity to mild deterrents in the experienced host and an enhanced sensitivity to the plant-specific phagostimulants.
Read More - chemoreceptionAltering pest behavior
…been genetically engineered to produce deterrent substances (see genetically modified organism).
Read More…been genetically engineered to produce deterrent substances (see genetically modified organism).
Read More - chemoreceptionFinding and recognizing food
…astringent to humans, are commonly deterrent to herbivores, and plants with alkaloids, which are often bitter to humans, tend to be rejected by herbivores. The tassel-eared squirrel, which hoards twigs of ponderosa pines for winter food, prefers to collect twigs low in α-pinene (a monoterpene). There are many such individual…
Read More…astringent to humans, are commonly deterrent to herbivores, and plants with alkaloids, which are often bitter to humans, tend to be rejected by herbivores. The tassel-eared squirrel, which hoards twigs of ponderosa pines for winter food, prefers to collect twigs low in α-pinene (a monoterpene). There are many such individual…
Read More