In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal activities of AP and its derivatives for their potentials as natural acaricides using the vapor phase and contact toxicity bioassays against Dermatophagoides spp. and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and then compared with that of commercial acaricide such as benzyl benzoate. The acaricidal constituent of A. koreana was isolated by various chromatographic techniques and identified as 2’-H-4’-MAP. In the vapor phase toxicity bioassay, based on the LD50 values of 2’-H-4’-MAPand its derivatives against D. farinae, 2’-MAP (1.25 ㎍/㎠) was 8.0 times more effective than benzyl benzoate (10.00 ㎍/㎠), followed by 3’-MAP (1.26 ㎍/㎠), 4’-MAP (1.29 ㎍/㎠), 2’-H-4’-MAP (1.75 ㎍/㎠), and 2’-H-5’-MAP (1.96 ㎍/㎠). In the contact toxicity bioassay, 3’-MAP (0.58 ㎍/㎠) was 12.97 times more toxic than benzyl benzoate (7.52 ㎍/㎠), followed by 2’-MAP (0.64 ㎍/㎠), 2’-H-4’-MAP (0.76 ㎍/㎠), 4’-MAP (0.77 ㎍/㎠), and 2’-H-5’-MAP (1.16 ㎍/㎠). The acaricidal activities of 2’-H-4’-MAP derivatives against D. pteronyssinus and T. putrescentiae were similar to those against D. farinae. These results indicated that acaricidal activities of 2’-H-4’-MAP derivatives against the three mite species were changed with the introduction of hydroxyl (-OH) and methyl (-CH3) groups onto the acetophenone skeleton.

• Hoi-Seon Lee(Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Chonbuk National University)