Ascher, K.R.S., Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
Schmutterer, H., Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
Glotter, E., Dept. of Agricultural Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
Kirson, I., Dept. of Organic Chemistry, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

Eight steroids isolated from solanaceous plants (Physalis, Withania and Nicandra species) were investigated as to their antifeedant efficacy for L4 larvae of Epilachna varivestis Muls. (Coleoptera). Nicalbin A (VII) was a potent antifeedant, but at high concentrations it was also toxic to this insect. Other active compounds were withanolide E (I), 4β-hydroxywithanolide E (II), 5β, 6β-epoxy-1β, 14α, 17β, 20α-tetrahydroxywith-24-enolide (III), Nic-1 (nicandrenone, VI) and nicalbin B (VIII). These results were quite different from the spectrum of activity of the withanolides against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera) found in a previous study. © 1981 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.