Insecticidal activity of huperzine A from the New Zealand clubmoss, Lycopodium varium

A bioactivity-directed investigation of an extract of the New Zealand clubmoss, Lycopodium varium, collected on subantarctic Campbell Island, has led to the isolation of the alkaloid huperzine A (1) as the major antifeedant and insecticidal component. Huperzine A showed insecticidal activity against the Australian carpet beetle, Anthrenocerus australis (LD50 = 110 ppm), the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (LD50 = 2380 ppm), and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (LD50 = 630 ppm). Feeding by A. australis was reduced by 97% at 63 ppm.