Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qiu Liu, Xingjie Zhang, Shang Wu, Ziming Wang, Yuqin Luo, Wenchao Wei, Deyu Hu, Runjiang Song
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ps.70708
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867019328577077248
author Qiu Liu
Xingjie Zhang
Shang Wu
Ziming Wang
Yuqin Luo
Wenchao Wei
Deyu Hu
Runjiang Song
author_facet Qiu Liu
Xingjie Zhang
Shang Wu
Ziming Wang
Yuqin Luo
Wenchao Wei
Deyu Hu
Runjiang Song
Qiu Liu
Xingjie Zhang
Shang Wu
Ziming Wang
Yuqin Luo
Wenchao Wei
Deyu Hu
Runjiang Song
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Development of 1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐containing isoxazoline insecticides with improved honeybee compatibility Qiu Liu Xingjie Zhang Shang Wu Ziming Wang Yuqin Luo Wenchao Wei Deyu Hu Runjiang Song Pest Management Science Abstract BACKGROUND Spodoptera frugiperda ( S. frugiperda ) and Plutella xylostella ( P. xylostella ) are major constraints to staple and cruciferous crops, respectively, and have evolved widespread resistance to anthranilic amide insecticides. Isoxazolines, acting as γ ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor modulators, are promising alternatives for controlling resistant populations. However, many members of this class exhibit high toxicity toward ecologically important pollinators. Here, we report a series of new isoxazoline analogues featuring a 1,2,4‐oxadiazole motif designed by a ring‐closure strategy to the fluxametamide scaffold, and we systematically assess their insecticidal efficacy, honeybee toxicity, and interaction with receptors. RESULTS Incorporation of a 1,2,4‐oxadiazole moiety enabled the design, synthesis, and bioevaluation of 34 novel derivatives. Compound L1 displayed potent activity against P . xylostella , with a median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of 0.89 mg L −1 . After chiral resolution, S ‐(+)‐L1 showed markedly enhanced potency (LC 50  = 0.69 mg L −1 ), being 159.36‐fold more active than R ‐(−)‐L1 (LC 50  = 109.96 mg L −1 ) and comparable to fluxametamide (LC 50  = 0.51 mg L −1 ). Notably, S ‐(+)‐L1 exhibited substantially reduced acute contact toxicity to honeybees (LD 50  = 4.58 μg a.i./bee) relative to fluxametamide (LD 50  = 0.25 μg a.i./bee). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based assays and molecular docking suggested that S ‐(+)‐L1 binds more favorably to the pest GABA receptor than its enantiomer, while the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole unit specifically weakens hydrogen‐bond interactions with the bee GABA receptor, thereby mitigating toxicity. CONCLUSION S ‐(+)‐L1 is identified as a selective lead combining high pesticidal potency with improved pollinator safety, suggesting ring‐closure–enabled scaffold hopping as a viable strategy to retain on‐target engagement while enhancing non‐target compatibility. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry. 10.1002/ps.70708 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
doi_str_mv 10.1002/ps.70708
format Artículo Open Access
id wiley_oa_10_1002_ps_70708
institution Wiley Open Access
license_str_mv http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
publishDate 2026
publisher Wiley
record_format wiley_oa
spellingShingle Development of 1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐containing isoxazoline insecticides with improved honeybee compatibility
Qiu Liu
Xingjie Zhang
Shang Wu
Ziming Wang
Yuqin Luo
Wenchao Wei
Deyu Hu
Runjiang Song
Pest Management Science
Development of 1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐containing isoxazoline insecticides with improved honeybee compatibility Qiu Liu Xingjie Zhang Shang Wu Ziming Wang Yuqin Luo Wenchao Wei Deyu Hu Runjiang Song Pest Management Science Abstract BACKGROUND Spodoptera frugiperda ( S. frugiperda ) and Plutella xylostella ( P. xylostella ) are major constraints to staple and cruciferous crops, respectively, and have evolved widespread resistance to anthranilic amide insecticides. Isoxazolines, acting as γ ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor modulators, are promising alternatives for controlling resistant populations. However, many members of this class exhibit high toxicity toward ecologically important pollinators. Here, we report a series of new isoxazoline analogues featuring a 1,2,4‐oxadiazole motif designed by a ring‐closure strategy to the fluxametamide scaffold, and we systematically assess their insecticidal efficacy, honeybee toxicity, and interaction with receptors. RESULTS Incorporation of a 1,2,4‐oxadiazole moiety enabled the design, synthesis, and bioevaluation of 34 novel derivatives. Compound L1 displayed potent activity against P . xylostella , with a median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of 0.89 mg L −1 . After chiral resolution, S ‐(+)‐L1 showed markedly enhanced potency (LC 50  = 0.69 mg L −1 ), being 159.36‐fold more active than R ‐(−)‐L1 (LC 50  = 109.96 mg L −1 ) and comparable to fluxametamide (LC 50  = 0.51 mg L −1 ). Notably, S ‐(+)‐L1 exhibited substantially reduced acute contact toxicity to honeybees (LD 50  = 4.58 μg a.i./bee) relative to fluxametamide (LD 50  = 0.25 μg a.i./bee). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based assays and molecular docking suggested that S ‐(+)‐L1 binds more favorably to the pest GABA receptor than its enantiomer, while the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole unit specifically weakens hydrogen‐bond interactions with the bee GABA receptor, thereby mitigating toxicity. CONCLUSION S ‐(+)‐L1 is identified as a selective lead combining high pesticidal potency with improved pollinator safety, suggesting ring‐closure–enabled scaffold hopping as a viable strategy to retain on‐target engagement while enhancing non‐target compatibility. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry. 10.1002/ps.70708 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
title Development of 1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐containing isoxazoline insecticides with improved honeybee compatibility
topic Pest Management Science
url https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ps.70708