Coumarin and Euponin,Two Inhibitors for Insect Development from Leaves of Eupatorium japonicum

An ovicide and a larval growth inhibitor against Drosophila melanogaster were isolated from leaves of Eupatorium japonicum. The ovicide was identified as coumarin. The structure of the larval growth inhibitor, a new naturally occurring guaianolide named euponin, was elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. The inhibitory effects of these agents on the egg and larva were also described.