Study of Natural Turpentine-Derived Molecules as Potential GOBP Target Indicators to Control Plutella xylostella

For rational control of Plutella xylostella, 23 target compounds from the natural product α-pinene were designed and synthesized, and the electroantennography and behavioral responses of adult P. xylostella affected by target compounds were evaluated. At a concentration of 500 μg/mL in the Y-tube olfactometer, compound 4a₂ had a lure rate of 74.26%, while compound 4a₁₁ had a repellent rate of 94.44%. Oviposition experiments showed that compound 4a₂ attracted egg-laying, whereas compound 4a₁₁ deterred it with effects varying by concentration. Real-time quantitative PCR verified that compounds 4a₂ and 4a₁₁ significantly altered the gene expression of the PxylGOBPs proteins. Competitive fluorescence binding assays further demonstrated the effective binding of compound 4a₁₁ to PxylGOBPs. The binding modes of compounds 4a₂ and 4a₁₁ with PxylGOBP1 and PxylGOBP2 were analyzed by molecular docking. This study illuminated on the derivation of volatile natural products for biological pest control using a "push-pull" strategy.