The DMPA secreted by the pitcher of Nepenthes × ventrata demonstrates insecticidal activity against a range of insect pests.

The prolonged use of traditional chemical pesticides has led to the emergence of resistance in pest populations, and the discovery of bioactive compounds with novel insecticidal mechanisms offers a promising strategy to broaden the current repertoire of pest management approaches. Natural compounds derived from plants constitute a vast resource for the development of novel pesticides. As a carnivorous plant, Nepenthes × ventrata is capable of secreting a diverse array of compounds that serve to attract and digest insects. In this study, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by N. × ventrata were identified. Compared with leaves, 28 VOCs were highly enriched in the pitchers of N. × ventrata. Y-tube behavior assays demonstrated sporadic attractant activity of 2,2-dimethyl-4-pentenoic acid (DMPA) on Bactrocera dorsalis, whereas no significant attractive effects on Tuta absoluta and Drosophila melanogaster were observed. When administered via both fumigation and contact exposure, DMPA exhibited significant lethality against these three pests. Limited proteolytic mass spectrometry (Lip-MS) analysis revealed that two ferritins, Tafer1 and Tafer2, from T. absoluta interacted with DMPA. In conclusion, the DMPA secreted by N. × ventrata is characterized as a bioactive compound exhibiting insecticidal activity, and thus represents a promising candidate for development as a novel insecticidal agent.