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PubMed2002

Activity of octylthiotrifluoropropan-2-one, a potent esterase inhibitor, on growth, development, and intraspecific communication in Spodoptera littoralis and Sesamia nonagrioides.

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effect of 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone (OTFP) on growth, development, and behavior of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The chemical behaved as an oviposition deterrent and, when added to the diet of the second-instar larvae of both insects, reduced diet consumption and growth, pupation, and adult emergence. Treatment of 100-5000 ng of the compound on fourth-instar larvae for 3-24 h, however, did not produce significant differences in the amount of diet ingested. Our results suggest that the effect of OTFP is long-lasting and that the inhibitor is not fully detoxified by the detoxification enzymes of the digestive tract of the insects. In behavioral assays, adult males which had been treated with the chemical at the larval stage were less attracted to the pheromone source than regular untreated males. When Sp. littoralis untreated females were used as the attractant source, treated males also displayed significantly fewer contacts with the cage-containing females than untreated or solvent-treated males. In the presence of treated females, only 27% of treated males successfully completed the flight in comparison to animals responding to solvent-treated females (54.5%). By contrast, when Se. nonagrioides females, whether they had been subjected or not to the treatment, were used as the attractant source, males were similarly attracted to them regardless of whether they had been treated or not at the larval stage. Analyses of gland extracts of Sp. littoralis treated females showed no difference from control insects in the qualitative or quantitative composition of the pheromone blend. The results obtained, in combination with other results previously reported by us (Riba, M.; Sans, A.; Bau, P.; Grolleau, G.; Renou, M.; Guerrero, A. J. Chem. Ecol. 2001, 27, 1879-1897), provide new and relevant information about the possible utility of these chemicals in future studies directed to the development of new approaches for pest control.

Acetone↗
PubMed1991

Fumigants and related chemicals in foods: review of residue findings, contamination sources, and analytical methods.

Public concern over chemical residues in foods increased in the United States during the early 1980s. Potentially hazardous levels of ethylene dibromide (EDB), a relatively non-volatile fumigant, were detected in several finished grain-based products by governmental food-monitoring laboratories. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of EDB as a fumigant in 1983. Commercial fumigators then began using more of the highly volatile chemicals such as methyl bromide and phosphine. These chemicals are less likely to leave residues on stored crops than the previously used fumigants such as EDB, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. However, trace residues of many pest-control fumigants and related industrial chemicals are currently found in assorted foods. This contamination may come from the original fumigation of stored crops, or from the industrial chemicals occurring in the environment and in food processing chains. No potential health problem is indicated at this time. Yet scientists continue to uncover the sources of this chemical contamination, and to develop better methods to monitor foods for it. They also seek better ways to protect foodstuffs from pests prior to human consumption.

Ethylene Dibromide↗
PubMed2001

Pheromone response inhibitors of the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides. Biological evaluation and toxicology.

The behavioral activity of some trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) as inhibitors of the pheromone activity of the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported. The most closely-related analogue to the pheromone tested, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK), elicited a significant decrease in the number of male catches in traps baited with mixtures with the pheromone in 1:1 and 10:1 ratios in comparison to the pheromone alone. The E isomer of the analogue as well as two highly hydrated ketones, 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP) and 1,1-difluoropentadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone, were inactive. Conversely, the saturated TFMKs n-dodecyl trifluoromethyl ketone and, particularly, n-hexadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone induced a synergistic effect when mixed with the synthetic pheromone in 10:1 ratio. However, in a wind tunnel these chemicals did not elicit any differential effect on flying moths attracted to a source containing a 10:1 blend of the analogue and the pheromone. In a dual choice bioassay with two dispensers, containing the pheromone alone, and mixtures of Z11-16:TFMK and the pheromone and separated 5 cm apart, males showed no particular preference for either dispenser. The ketone mixture, however, induced moths to execute erratic flights with frequent crosswind counter-turns and intersections with plume boundaries. The total number of contacts with the source were reduced when a control dispenser was paired with a dispenser containing Z11-16:TFMK and pheromone. Z11-16:TFMK and OTFP showed little toxicity on mice with a LD50 of 1 g/kg after the 6th day of treatment. For comparitive purposes, the major component of the pheromone, Z11-16:Ac, displayed a LD50 of 5 g/kg 6 days after application. Our results provide additional information about the activity of the TFMKs, which might be useful for the utilization of these chemicals in future pest control studies.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation of a porcine zona pellucida vaccine for the immunocontraception of domestic kittens (Felis catus).

With a seasonally polyestrus breeding structure, the unwanted domestic cat population has proven difficult to control. Various lethal methods have been used in an attempt to lower this population of cats. Recently, humane attempts to control "pest species," such as the feral cat, have focused on immunocontraception. SpayVacTM is a vaccine that uses antibodies raised against porcine (ZP) antigens to prevent fertilization of the ovum. SpayVac, delivered in a single dose, has been evaluated in fallow deer and several species of seals with >90% reduction in fertility and no adverse reactions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of SpayVac in reducing fertility in domestic kittens. Thirty female kittens were treated with SpayVac containing either Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) or alum, or with a control vehicle. Kittens were monitored for side effects, estrus cycling at maturity, and fecundity. Anti-porcine ZP antibodies were quantified by ELISA. Immunohistochemical assays measured the species specificity of the antibodies produced and IgG binding in vivo. Despite high anti-porcine ZP antibody titers, neither formulation of SpayVac prevented estrus cycling at maturity or reduced fecundity. Immunohistochemical assays indicated that antibodies produced by cats treated with SpayVac recognized porcine ZP, but not feline ZP.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A polymerase chain reaction for the detection of nucleopolyhedroviruses in infected insects: the fate of the Spodoptera littoralis virus in Locusta migratoria.

The Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SlNPV) is a potential pest control agent of Spodoptera spp. As part of our studies to establish the use of this virus, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was developed for the detection of viral DNA in infected insects. PCR amplification of the polyhedrin sequences enabled the detection of low levels of viral DNA directly from viral occlusion bodies or from total larval DNA. The use of different sets of synthetic DNA primers allowed us to differentiate between SlNPV and the Autographa californica NPV (AcNPV) and to identify a new AcNPV variant isolated from a cotton pest, Pectinophora gossypiella NPV. The PCR method was also used to test for the possible infection of Locusta migratoria larvae by SlNPV, reported by Bensimon et al., 1987. The progress of SlNPV infection in L. migratoria larvae was monitored by PCR for 2 weeks. The reaction revealed decreasing amounts of viral DNA in infected larvae. During this time, no signs of disease were observed in the infected locusts.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Mutations and their use in insect control.

Traditional chemically based methods for insect control have been shown to have serious limitations, and many alternative approaches have been developed and evaluated, including those based on the use of different types of mutation. The mutagenic action of ionizing radiation was well known in the field of genetics long before it was realized by entomologists that it might be used to induce dominant lethal mutations in insects, which, when released, could sterilize wild female insects. The use of radiation to induce dominant lethal mutations in the sterile insect technique (SIT) is now a major component of many large and successful programs for pest suppression and eradication. Adult insects, and their different developmental stages, differ in their sensitivity to the induction of dominant lethal mutations, and care has to be taken to identify the appropriate dose of radiation that produces the required level of sterility without impairing the overall fitness of the released insect. Sterility can also be introduced into populations through genetic mechanisms, including translocations, hybrid incompatibility, and inherited sterility in Lepidoptera. The latter phenomenon is due to the fact that this group of insects has holokinetic chromosomes. Specific types of mutations can also be used to make improvements to the SIT, especially for the development of strains for the production of only male insects for sterilization and release. These strains utilize male translocations and a variety of selectable mutations, either conditional or visible, so that at some stage of development, the males can be separated from the females. In one major insect pest, Ceratitis capitata, these strains are used routinely in large operational programs. This review summarizes these developments, including the possible future use of transgenic technology in pest control.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

New measures of insecticidal efficacy and safety obtained with the 39K promoter of a recombinant baculovirus.

Baculoviruses are orally infectious to insects and considered to be natural insecticides. To enhance their speed-of-kill these viruses were engineered to express arthropod neurotoxins under the control of various strong promoters. Although this strategy proved to be efficient, it raised recently concerns about safety. We analyzed the speed-of-kill and safety of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus expressing the insecticidal scorpion neurotoxin AaIT and found that the mortality of Helicoverpa armigera larvae was enhanced significantly when the expression was controlled by the baculovirus delayed-early promoter 39K rather than the very late promoter p10. This improvement was also reflected in better protection of cotton leaves on which these insects were fed. Using lacZ as a sensitive reporter we also found that expression driven by the 39K promoter was detected in insect but not in mammalian cells. These results imply that by selection of an appropriate viral promoter, engineered baculoviruses may comply with the high standard biosafety requirements from a genetically modified organism (GMO). Our results provide further support for the potential use of engineered baculoviruses in insect pest control in a safely manner.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Resistance to Bacillus sphaericus in Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae): interaction between recessive mutants and evolution in southern France.

In southern France, failure to control Culex pipiens L. with Bacillus sphaericus Neide toxin (Bs) was first detected in 1994, at the extreme east of the Languedoc-Roussillon coast. This failure was due to a single recessive mutant, sp-1R. Two complementary strategies were used to test whether sp-1R had invaded the Bs-controlled area by 1998. First, a strain (BP) was selected from resistant larvae sampled in the western part of the Bs-controlled area. In BP strain, resistance involved a single recessive gene, sp-2R, distinct from sp-1R, that conferred a similarly high resistance in the homozygous state (approximately 6,000-fold). Combining one copy of sp-1R and one of sp-2R conferred a > 100-fold resistance. Second, Bs-resistance was monitored among the offspring of field females crossed to sp-1RR homozygous males. Females were sampled in 20 localities of southern France and three localities of the Llobregat delta (Barcelona, Spain) where C. pipiens control is also intensive. The 537 females in the study produced enough larvae to infer their genotype: 462 progenies were susceptible and the survival rate of 51 others was explained by the presence of sp-1R and/or sp-2R. The remaining 24 cases indicated that other factors could confer resistance when combined with sp-1R. The current data showed that, even when recessive, resistant mutants can rapidly increase in frequency, providing some interactions that protect them from disappearance. We discuss the consequences of this finding on the current strategies aimed to avoid or delay resistance in the pests controlled with B. sphaericus or B. thuringiensis Berliner toxins.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Confirmation of the safety of Lagenidium giganteum (Oomycetes: Lagenidiales) to mammals.

Lagenidium giganteum Couch, a fungal parasite of mosquito larvae, is considered a promising agent for operational control. Quantitative reisolation of the fungus from rodent blood and tissue is easily accomplished because the cell walls are much more persistent than those of mammalian cells. The mycelium forms discrete, septate cells very early in its development, in marked contrast to filamentous fungi. The fungus is rapidly cleared from mice following intraperitoneal injection of large quantities of mycelium and oospores. More than 95% of viable cells are cleared within 24 h. Mortality following intravenous injection of mycelium in tail veins of mice is caused solely by embolism of heart and lung tissue. Recently revised U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protocols for testing of microbial pest control agents may have to be altered further to accommodate physically large microbial agents such as L. giganteum.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Entomopoxviruses and biological control.].

Poxviridae are divided into two subfamilies: the Chordopoxvirinae (poxviruses of vertebrates) and the Entomopoxvirinae (insect poxviruses). Entomopoxviruses (EPVs) are large (300-400 nm) oval shaped viruses. The genome of EPVs is large, with covalent ends and is a linear double-stranded DNA (200-240 kbp) molecule. The Entomopoxvirinae comprises three genera based on host insect and virion morphology. Genus A viruses infect coleopterans, genus B viruses infect lepidopterans and orthopterans, and genus C viruses infect dipterans. The Melolontha melolontha entomopoxvirus (MmEPV) was the first poxvirus to be described as being associated with an insect disease. Then, several entomopoxviruses (EPVs) have been found to infect Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. Entomopoxviruses are very similar to orthopoxvirus and molluscipoxvirus that cause dermal lesions and pox diseases in humans. Therefore, these viruses have great importance in understanding their replication mechanism as well as in the use as a gene expression vector and as a pest control agent. In this review article, we present information about entomopoxviruses on which important studies have been done recently.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2005

[Use of agricultural insecticides in Benin].

The use of insecticides in households and in agriculture has been incriminated in the emergence of insecticide resistance in insect vectors. For farming staff, the emergence of vector resistance is due to indoors spray of insecticides using aerosols and other low quality products in rural and urban settings against mosquitoes. On the other hand, public health specialists believe that the phenomenon of resistance could be due to massive use of insecticides in agriculture for field pests control. In Turkey, the implication of agricultural use of pesticides in the selection of vector resistance is clearly established. This study was framed to identify potential practices favouring the emergence of insecticide resistance in the Republic of Benin. Interviews and focus group discussions were organized with cotton, rice and vegetables farmers. The final aim of these surveys was to point out practices likely to favour the emergence of resistance. The research is conducted in 3 cotton fields, 2 rice fields and 2 vegetable plantations. After filling and signing concerned forms, farmers are subjected to quantitative and qualitative questionnaires to generate data on: insecticides being used, the various doses applied for pests eradication, the frequency of treatments, the cost of treatments (cost/hectare/year) the origin of insecticides, the place of purchase, safety precautions and related health hazards. The results of this study have shown that the use of insecticides in agriculture is a clear fact. During treatments, insecticide residues get in contact with mosquito breeding sites where they diffuse into water and exercise a selection pressure on larvae. This partially explains the high levels of resistance recorded in with strains of Anopheles gambiae collected in agricultural settings under insecticides pressure. Pyrethroids and more specifically deltamethrin and cyfluthrin are the insecticides mainly used in studied localities. Bedrooms of farmers are used as storage place for half-used and un-used insecticides containers. For a proper management of insecticides, cotton and vegetable plantations farmers receive assistance from the ministry of rural development. Because of the importance of cotton production in the Republic of Benin, trainings on management of insecticides in agricultural settings are frequently organised by the ministry of rural development and are opened to farmers and their family members (husbands, wives, children and relatives...). In the long run, the whole family learns and becomes very versant with the use of insecticides, spraying frequencies, spraying devices and spraying techniques.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2006

Bumblebees can be used in combination with juvenile hormone analogues and ecdysone agonists.

This study examined the lethal and sublethal effects on the beneficial insect Bombus terrestris by two classes of insect growth regulators (IGRs) that are commercially used in agriculture to control pest insects. Three juvenile hormones analogues (JHAs) (pyriproxyfen, fenoxycarb and kinoprene) and two ecdysone agonists or moulting accelerating compounds (MACs) (tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide) were tested. The bumblebee workers were exposed to the insecticides via three different routes of exposure: dermally by topical contact, and orally via the drinking sugar water or the pollen. In the first series of experiments the IGRs were applied at their respective maximum field recommended concentration (MFRC). These risk hazard tests showed that the tested IGRs caused no acute toxicity on the workers, and any compound had an adverse effect on reproduction (production of males). In addition, larval development was followed in the treated nests compared with the controls. After application of the two MACs and the JHA fenoxycarb no adverse effects were observed on larval development. However, in the nests where the workers were exposed to the JHAs pyriproxyfen and kinoprene higher numbers of dead larvae were scored. These larvae were third and fourth instars, implying a lethal blockage of development before metamorphosis. In a second test, a series of dilutions was made for kinoprene, and these results revealed that only the MFRC caused a toxic effect on the larval development. On the other hand, kinoprene at lower concentrations (0.0650 mg ai/l) had a stimulatory effect on brood production. It was remarkable that ovaries of such treated dominant workers were longer and contained more eggs than in the controls. In a last experiment, the cuticular uptake was determined for a JHA and MAC to evaluate to what extent worker bees accumulate these classes of IGRs. Cuticular uptake ranged from 34 to 83% at 24 h after topical application. Overall, the obtained results indicate that the tested IGRs at their recommended concentration are safe to be used in combination with B. terrestris.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Monitoring of some pesticides residues in different samples of meat and some organs of cattle.

Intensive use of pesticides for controlling pests in Egypt resulted in presence of minute amount of their residue in animal feeds and consequently in animal tissues. The present study aimed to monitor the residue of some commonly used pesticides in different samples of animal tissues obtained from rural areas. The results revealed high concentration of pesticides residue in liver and kidney.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

[Poultry husbandry and animal health].

Close interactions are existing between poultry husbandry and poultry health. The more housing systems and the environment of the animals can be controlled, the less the general risk of disorders in poultry flocks--especially of diseases which are caused by the introduction of microoganisms. Resulting deterimental effects will affect not only the animals themselves, but also pose a risk indirectly for humans via food originating from animals under production. Also, by keeping the risk of infections as low as possible, the use of therapeutics can be avoided. This will reduce the risk of residues in food of animal origin. In summary, with all probability open poultry husbandry systems, especially those including free range systems pose increased risks for poultry health and consequently for the quality of food originating from poultry production. At least, those systems require highest standards of biosecurity, defined as management, location, farm layout, cleaning and desinfection incl. pest control programs, immunization and specific veterinary monitoring concepts to prevent infections.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1999

Exposure to agrochemicals and DNA adducts in Western Liguria, Italy.

Pesticides are used to control pests and improve agricultural production. Despite their selectivity of action, a number of agrochemicals have been reported to be genotoxic using the (32)P-DNA postlabeling assay. Greenhouse floriculturists are suspected of being heavily exposed to agrochemicals during loading, mixing, and application of pesticides, as well as during manual activities by continuous contact with flowers and ornamental plants. We analyzed the DNA adduct formations in the white blood cells (WBCs) of 57 nonsmoker greenhouse floriculturists and 33 nonsmoker age-matched referents residing in the Western Liguria Region, Italy-the most important Italian greenhouse floriculture area. The averages of DNA adducts, expressed as relative adduct labeling (RAL), were 8.50 x 10(9) +/- 1.98 (SE) in floriculturists and 2.17 x 10(9) +/- 1.05 (SE) in referents. DNA adducts were significantly higher in floriculturists than in controls after adjustment for age and gender (P = 0.007). A specific adduct pattern, with up to six different spots, was observed in 60% of floriculturists, while no adducts were generally detected in controls. Our study represents an important contribution to the correct evaluation of the potential health risk associated with floriculture activity and supports the adoption of measures ensuring pesticide exposure reduction in greenhouses.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Surface seals reduce 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin emissions in field tests.

Reducing emissions is essential for minimizing the impact of soil fumigation on the environment. Water application to the soil surface (or water seal) has been demonstrated to reduce 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) emissions in soil column tests. This study determined the effectiveness of water application to reduce emissions of 1,3-D and chloropicrin (CP) in comparison to other surface seals under field conditions. In a small-plot field trial on a Hanford sandy loam soil (coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic Typic Xerorthents) in the San Joaquin Valley, CA. Telone C35 (61% 1,3-D and 35% CP) was shank-applied at a depth of 46 cm at a rate of 610 kg ha-1. Soil surface seal treatments included control (no tarp and no water application), standard high density polyethylene (HDPE) tarp over dry and pre-irrigated soil, virtually impermeable film (VIF) tarp, initial water application by sprinklers immediately following fumigation, and intermittent water applications after fumigation. The atmospheric emissions and gas-phase distribution of fumigants in soil profile were monitored for 9 d. Among the surface seals, VIF and HDPE tarp over dry soil resulted in the lowest and the highest total emission losses, respectively. Intermittent water applications reduced 1,3-D and CP emissions significantly more than HDPE tarp alone. The initial water application also reduced emission peak and delayed emission time. Pre-irrigated soil plus HDPE tarp reduced fumigant emissions similarly as the intermittent water applications and also yielded the highest surface soil temperature, which may improve overall soil pest control.

Allyl Compounds↗
PubMed2005

Nonsteroidal ecdysone agonists.

Nonsteroidal ecdysone agonists are novel compounds that have become attractive candidates not only as pest control agents in agriculture but also as tools for research. Their narrow spectrum of activity makes them relatively safe as pesticides, and their mode of action as ligands for gene expression has found application in gene therapy and inducing transgenic gene expression in plants. These diacylhydrazines (DAHs) are potent nonsteroidal ecdysone agonists, and four of them, tebufenozide, methoxyfenozide, chromafenozide, and halofenozide, have been developed as insecticides. Although these compounds are very toxic to insects, they are safe for mammals and are environmentally benign. Their action on insects is also selective, the first three are effective against Lepidoptera but weakly active or inactive on Diptera and Coleoptera. On the other hand, halofenozide is effective on Coleoptera but mildly active on Lepidoptera. Previous reviews on ecdysone agonists have concentrated on the biological response of some DAHs and their effects on pests. In this review, the chemistry, biological effects and their modes of action at the molecular level will be covered. In addition, a few studies on other nonsteroidal ecdysone agonists, such as 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-N-iso-butylbenzamide, acylaminoketones, and benzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, will be briefly reviewed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) poisoning in dogs.

Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is a widely used pesticide for control of feral animals such as the fox. Accidental poisoning of domestic animals occurs despite strict regulations on 1080 usage. Dogs are particularly susceptible to the toxin. The mechanism of 1080 toxicity, susceptibility of target and non-target species, persistence of 1080 in the environment and risk of accidental poisoning are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on 1080 toxicity in the dog. Early recognition of intoxication is most important for prognosis and relies upon characteristic clinical signs and diagnostic findings. The treatment of 1080 intoxication remains a challenge with no proven antidotes. However, there are possible benefits from monoacetin, acetamide, calcium salts, colestipol, activated charcoal, peritoneal dialysis, sodium bicarbonate, neurotransmitter modulators and four-methylpyrazole. A recommended treatment protocol for 1080 toxicosis in dogs is included. Safety measures such as the use of wire dog muzzles and investigating alternatives to 1080 in pest control programs may be the key to reducing the incidence of future accidental poisonings.

Animals↗