Sahlbergella singularis is a major insect pest of cocoa in Cameroon. Conventional insecticides remain the most widely used option for mirid control, which unfortunately have adverse effects on the environment and human health. Improved methods of controlling this species, both environmentally friendly and inexpensive to farmers, are requirements. Varietal control based on the selection of resistant and/or tolerant genotypes can be an interesting approach. Nonetheless, the role of secondary metabolites (SMs) in cocoa defense against mirids is poorly documented; yet, these compounds are reported to be key elements in plant defense against herbivores. For this purpose, SMs of twelve cocoa genotypes were identified and quantified, as well as their impact on food preference by mirids. Food preference was assessed through microtests measuring cocoa attractiveness and antixenosis toward mirids. The results showed that cocoa genotypes were differently accepted as food by mirids, with a significant preference for hybrid IMC60 x SNK605 and a non-preference for T60/887. The ten other cocoa genotypes showed intermediate results. Five SMs classes: alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, and tannins were identified. Their rates varied between cocoa genotypes: polyphenols > alkaloids > flavonoids > tannins, and saponins. Cocoa genotypes with high total phenolic contents were significantly preferred by S. singularis (r_α = 0.86, R² = 74.0%, P < 0.001), while those with low saponins contents were lowly accepted (r_α = − 0.83, R² = 68.9%, P < 0.015), independently of the levels of other SMs. Given SMs high potential to affect mirid feeding behavior, analyzing cocoa SMs composition may help in early selection of resistant cocoa varieties against S. singularis.

单孢菌是喀麦隆可可的主要害虫。传统杀虫剂仍然是最广泛使用的杀虫剂，不幸的是，它对环境和人类健康有不利影响。需要改进控制该物种的方法，既环保又对农民来说成本低廉。基于选择抗性和/或耐受基因型的品种控制可能是一种有趣的方法。尽管如此，次生代谢物（SMs）在可可防御mirids中的作用鲜有记载。然而，据报道，这些化合物是植物防御食草动物的关键元素。为此，鉴定并量化了 12 种可可基因型的 SM，以及它们对 mirids 对食物偏好的影响。食物偏好是通过测量可可吸引力和抗毒力的微量测试来评估的。结果表明，可可基因型被 mirids 接受为食物的方式不同，对杂交 IMC60 x SNK605 的显着偏好和对 T60/887 的非偏好。其他十种可可基因型显示出中间结果。鉴定了五个 SM 类：生物碱、黄酮类、多酚、皂苷和单宁。它们的比率因可可基因型而异：多酚 > 生物碱 > 黄酮类 > 单宁和皂苷。具有高总酚含量的可可基因型被显着偏爱 其他十种可可基因型显示出中间结果。鉴定了五个 SM 类：生物碱、黄酮类、多酚、皂苷和单宁。它们的比率因可可基因型而异：多酚 > 生物碱 > 黄酮类 > 单宁和皂苷。具有高总酚含量的可可基因型被显着偏爱 其他十种可可基因型显示出中间结果。鉴定了五个 SM 类：生物碱、黄酮类、多酚、皂苷和单宁。它们的比率因可可基因型而异：多酚 > 生物碱 > 黄酮类 > 单宁和皂苷。具有高总酚含量的可可基因型被显着偏爱S. singleis ( r _α  = 0.86, R ²  = 74.0%, P  <  0.001 )，而那些皂苷含量低的被接受度很低( r _α  = − 0.83, R ²  = 68.9%, P  <  0.015 )，独立于其他SM的水平。鉴于 SMs 有很大的潜力影响 mirid 摄食行为，分析可可 SMs 的组成可能有助于早期选择抗奇异链霉菌的可可品种。