Extraction, Insecticidal Activities and Potential for Green Pesticide Development of Active Ingredients from Ageratina adenophora

As a globally invasive and toxic weed, Ageratina adenophora poses a severe threat to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and ecological security. Developing plant-derived insecticides from its extracts is a crucial approach to achieve its resourceful management and rational utilization. This paper reviews the main extraction methods, identified active ingredients, and mechanisms of action against insects and parasites (such as nematodes and mollusks) of A. adenophora. It indicates that its main active ingredients are secondary metabolites such as loosestrife ketone, which act on target pests through various methods such as contact toxicity, antifeedant effects, and growth inhibition. It has shown good effects in some pest control. Existing research has confirmed the biological activity of A. adenophora, but further systematic identification of its key insecticidal components, in-depth elucidation of its molecular mechanism of action, comprehensive evaluation of its environmental safety, and development of stable and efficient practical formulations are needed to promote its transformation from basic research to practical application of green pesticides, explore new paths for ecological management of invasive plants, and provide scientific basis for the resource utilization of invasive plants.