The goatweed, Ageratum conyzoïdes L., contains the same chromenes, precocenes 1 and 2, as the bedding plant, A. houstonianum. A crude lipid extract from the goatweed exerts ovicidal action and induces sterility after topical treatment of both young last instar larvae (L6) and females of Dysdercus flavidus Sign, at emergence by inhibiting ovarian development. The chromenes survived metabolism for at least 12 days. The action of the two chromenes in the crude extract is synergistic.