Aly, R., Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Newe-Yaar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Ravid, U., Department of Aromatic Plants, ARO, Newe Ya'ar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Abu-Nassar, J., Department of Entomology, ARO, the Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel
Botnick, I., Department of Aromatic Plants, ARO, Newe Ya'ar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Lebedev, G., Department of Entomology, ARO, the Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel
Gal, S., Department of Entomology, ARO, the Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel
Ziadna, H., Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Newe-Yaar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Achdari, G., Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Newe-Yaar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Smirov, E., Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Newe-Yaar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Meir, A., Department of Plant Genetics, ARO, Newe Ya'ar Research Centre, Ramat Yishay, Israel
Ghanim, M., Department of Entomology, ARO, the Volcani Centre, Bet Dagan, Israel

Background: Ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that control moulting and govern several changes during metamorphoses in arthropods. The discovery of the same molecules (phytoecdysteroids) in several plant species displayed a wide array of rather beneficial agricultural impact. Many representatives of the genus Ajuga plants contain phytoecdysteroids with a 5β-7-ene-6-one system exhibiting physiological activities in insects. Results: By means of chromatographic (silica gel column, TLC) and LC-MS, two major ecdysteroids (20-hydroxyecdysone and cyasterone) have been isolated and identified from Israeli carpet bugle Ajuga iva (L.) Schreber (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) plants. Ajuga iva extract fractionated on the silica gel column yielded two fractions that showed high activity against the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisis tabaci and the persea mite Oligonychus perseae. A dose of 5 mg AI L -1 of the purely identified A. iva ecdysterone significantly reduced fecundity, fertility and survival of these pests, while commercial 20-hydroxyecdysone at the same dose had lesser effects. Conclusion: The results demonstrate considerable efficacy of natural phytoecdysteroids against major agricultural pests, and suggests that these materials should be considered for potential development of friendly control agents. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.