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The medical importance of riceland mosquitoes and their control using alternatives to chemical insecticides.

The medical importance, ecology and control of riceland mosquitoes using alternative strategies is reviewed. Over 135 pest and vector anopheline and culicine mosquito species found in association with riceland habitats and their medical importance are presented. Malaria and Japanese encephalitis are the two most serious human diseases transmitted by riceland mosquitoes, but they have been incriminated as vectors of dozens of arboviruses and other parasites and pathogens including the causal agents of West Nile and Rift Valley Fevers and lymphatic filariasis. Control of vector and pest mosquitoes using chemical pesticides has generated several problems including: insecticide resistance, safety risks for humans and domestic animals, and other environmental concerns. These problems and the high cost and sustainability of programs based predominantly on conventional insecticides have stimulated increased interest in integrated control measures in ricelands. The integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for mosquito control, also known as integrated vector control (IVC), is an ecologically based approach that may involve several complementary interventions used in combination or singly. Environmental management, and chemical, biological and mechanical control, comprise the elements of IVC proposed for use in or near riceland habitats. Some of the elements of environmental management include the use of intermittent irrigation; flushing of fields; use of rice cultivars that require less water; shifting of planting schedules to avoid optimal mosquito breeding conditions; relocation of communities or use of dry belt farming around them; and zooprophylaxis and other personal protection methods, especially use of insecticide-impregnated bed nets. Biological control agents that have been used successfully in rice fields include several species of larvivorous fish, a mermithid nematode (Romanomermis culicivorax), a fungus (Lagenidium giganteum) and bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus). The mermithid and the entomopathogens have demonstrated little or no adverse effects on populations of vertebrate and invertebrate nontarget organisms. The successful use of any particular method or combination of interventions for the control of riceland mosquitoes will depend on in-depth ecological studies on the target species and nontarget organisms, sound geographic reconnaissance and effective routine sampling and evaluation. When biological control agents are considered, additional background on the environmental factors limiting their efficacy will also be needed. In addition to the technical components of the various interventions employed in integrated control, sustained suppression of riceland mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit will require a greater sociocultural supportive background, particularly in developing countries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Agriculture↗

[Correlation between insecticidal and antibiotic activities of Bacillus thuringiensis parasporal crystals].

The work was concerned with studying the insecticide and antibiotic activities of solutions containing parasporal crystals of several Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies. The correlation coefficients of these values were determined. A direct correlation was established between the insecticide and antibiotic activities of solutions of parasporal crystals from several B. thuringiensis subspecies. Therefore, the quality of bacterial insecticides can be controlled by assaying the antibiotic activity of polypeptide crystals in biotechnology.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The status and development of insecticide resistance in Danish populations of the housefly Musca domestica L.

Samples of housefly (Musca domestica) field populations were collected from Danish livestock farms in 1997. The tolerance of the first-generation offspring was determined for a number of insecticides. Dose-response values were obtained by topical application for the pyrethroids bioresmethrin and pyrethrum, both synergised with piperonyl butoxide, and the organophosphate dimethoate. The organophosphates azamethiphos and propetamphos and the carbamate methomyl were tested in discriminating dose feeding bioassays. Resistance was low to moderate in most of the populations for most of the compounds tested, but this study also revealed the existence of high resistance to pyrethroid, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in some populations. The resistance factors at LD50 for bioresmethrin/piperonyl butoxide ranged between 2 and 98, and for pyrethrum/piperonyl butoxide between 2 and 29. Our results indicate that pyrethroid resistance in Denmark is increasing, since four of the 21 farms showed more than 100-fold resistance at LD95, a level of resistance only observed once before. Resistance factors at LD50 for dimethoate ranged from 9 to 100, and showed two distinct trends: populations with either decreasing or increasing resistance. Resistance to azamethiphos was found to be widespread and high. Although two strains with high methomyl and propetamphos resistance were observed, methomyl and propetamphos resistance is moderate and appears not to be increasing.

Animals↗

Age-dependent response to insecticides and enzymatic variation in susceptible and resistant codling moth larvae.

Insecticide resistance in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella, partly results from increased metabolic detoxification. The aim of this study was to follow the age variations in larval susceptibility to deltamethrin and teflubenzuron in one susceptible (S) strain, and two resistant (Rv and Rt) ones selected for resistance to deltamethrin and diflubenzuron, respectively. The age variation of the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase (MFO), glutathione S-transferases (GST), and esterases in S and both resistant strains were simultaneously investigated. The highest levels of insecticide resistance were recorded in late instars in both resistant strains, although Rv neonates exhibited enhanced resistance to deltamethrin. The involvement of an additional deltamethrin-specific mechanism of resistance, which could be mainly expressed in early instars, was supported by previous demonstration of a kdr point mutation in the Rv strain. The cross-resistance between deltamethrin and teflubenzuron indicated the involvement of non-specific metabolic pathways in resistance to teflubenzuron, rather than target site modification. A positive correlation between enhanced GST activities and deltamethrin resistance suggested that this mechanism might take place into the adaptive response of C. pomonella to pyrethroids treatments. Enhanced MFO activity was recorded in each instar of the two resistant strains compared to the susceptible one. But these activities were not correlated to the responses to deltamethrin nor to teflubenzuron. In the light of these findings, studying age-dependence of responses to selection is central to the implementation of monitoring tests of resistances, especially if the target instars are difficult to collect in the field.

Age Factors↗

Botanical insecticides for controlling agricultural pests: piperamides and the Colorado Potato Beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

The efficacy of extracts from two Piperaceae species, Piper nigrum L. and P. tuberculatum Jacq. were evaluated using larvae and adults of the Colorado Potato Beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Young larvae and neonates were the most susceptible; a 24-h LD(50) of 0.064% extract of P. tuberculatum was determined for 4-day-old larvae, while 0.05% extract of P. nigrum reduced larval survival up to 70% within one week after treatment of potato Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae) plants. When an insecticide resistant strain of L. decemlineata larvae was tested with the P. tuberculatum extract, there was less than a 2-fold tolerance ratio compared to the 22-fold tolerance ratio to cypermethrin, a pyrethroid. Older larvae, pre-pupal stage and adults, were less sensitive to the P. nigrum extracts; the 24-h LD(50) was 0.5% (95% C.I. = 0.36, 0.65). However, the same concentration was equally effective under field conditions. In the greenhouse, P. nigrum at 0.5% was as effective at reducing adult L. decemlineata feeding as combinations with 2 separate botanical mixtures, garlic and lemon grass oil. Under field conditions, the residual activity of the P. nigrum extracts was less than 3 h. When adult L. decemlineata were placed on treated plants exposed to full sunlight for 0, 1.5, and 3 h, leaf damage progressively increased as the main active compound, piperine, was found to degrade by 80% after 3 h. An in vitro polysubstrate monoxygenase (PSMO) enzyme assay, using the substrate methoxyresorufin O-demethylation (MROD), determined that the principal P. nigrum active compound, piperine, is responsible for inhibition of that specific enzyme. The results suggest that Piper extracts could be used effectively as contact botanical insect control agents to protect potato plants from developing L. decemlineata larvae at concentrations less than 0.1%. There is also potential for Piper extracts to control insecticide resistant populations in conjunction with other integrated pest management (IPM) strategies used in conventional and organic agriculture.

Agriculture↗

Biorational insecticides: mechanism and cross-resistance.

Potency and cross-resistance of various biorational insecticides, exemplified by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, have been studied. Bemisia tabaci were exposed to the juvenile hormone mimic pyriproxyfen for the past 12 years resulting in an over 2,000-fold resistance, but there was no appreciable cross-resistance with the benzoylphenyl urea novaluron. Similarly, no cross-resistance was found between pyriproxyfen and the two neonicotinoids, acetamiprid and imidacloprid. On the other hand, a slight cross-resistance of 5-13-fold was observed with another neonicotinoid thiamethoxam. Among the neonicotinoids, a resistant strain of B. tabaci to thiamethoxam (approximately 100-fold) showed no appreciable cross-resistance to either acetamiprid or imidacloprid, while another strain 500-fold resistant to thiamethoxam resulted in a mild of 4-6-fold resistance to acetamiprid and imidacloprid. In other assays, B. tabaci strain resistant to thiamethoxam (approximately 100-fold) had no cross-resistance to pyriproxyfen. Our findings indicate that no appreciable cross-resistance was observed between the benzoylphenyl urea novaluron, the juvenile hormone mimic pyriproxyfen, and the neonicotinoids acetamiprid and imidacloprid. Hence, these compounds could be used as components in insecticide resistance management programs.

Animals↗

Resistance of insect pests to neonicotinoid insecticides: current status and future prospects.

The first neonicotinoid insecticide introduced to the market was imidacloprid in 1991 followed by several others belonging to the same chemical class and with the same mode of action. The development of neonicotinoid insecticides has provided growers with invaluable new tools for managing some of the world's most destructive crop pests, primarily those of the order Hemiptera (aphids, whiteflies, and planthoppers) and Coleoptera (beetles), including species with a long history of resistance to earlier-used products. To date, neonicotinoids have proved relatively resilient to the development of resistance, especially when considering aphids such as Myzus persicae and Phorodon humuli. Although the susceptibility of M. persicae may vary up to 20-fold between populations, this does not appear to compromise the field performance of neonicotinoids. Stronger resistance has been confirmed in some populations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Resistance in B- and Q-type B. tabaci appears to be linked to enhanced oxidative detoxification of neonicotinoids due to overexpression of monooxygenases. No evidence for target-site resistance has been found in whiteflies, whereas the possibility of target-site resistance in L. decemlineata is being investigated further. Strategies to combat neonicotinoid resistance must take account of the cross-resistance characteristics of these mechanisms, the ecology of target pests on different host plants, and the implications of increasing diversification of the neonicotinoid market due to a continuing introduction of new molecules.

Animals↗

Cyclodiene resistance at the insect GABA receptor/chloride channel complex confers broad cross resistance to convulsants and experimental phenylpyrazole insecticides.

This study investigated the pharmacological profile of cyclodiene resistance in Drosophila melanogaster and the mode of action of a phenylpyrazole insecticide, JKU 0422. Toxicological studies were performed with a sucrose bait assay containing the synergist piperonyl butoxide. The Maryland strain of D. melanogaster was resistant to dieldrin, lindane, picrotoxinin, TBPS, p-CN-TBOB, and JKU 0422. In contrast, this strain was susceptible to cypermethrin and the avermectins MK-243, abamectin, and abamectin 8,9-oxide. Neurophysiological studies showed that both TBPS and JKU 0422 reversed the inhibitory action of GABA in central nerve preparations from susceptible D. melanogaster. However, the response to these compounds was attenuated in nerve preparations from the resistant Maryland strain, which indicated that the resistance was expressed at the level of the nerve. Topical toxicity bioassays with JKU 0422 on susceptible (CSMA) and cyclodiene-resistant (LPP) strains of German cockroach revealed a resistance ratio of 553-fold for this compound. These studies demonstrate that cyclodiene resistance in D. melanogaster confers broad cross resistance toward compounds thought to block the GABA-gated chloride channel in a manner similar to the cyclodienes. Moreover, the cross resistance extends to JKU 0422, and resistance to this compound is also present in a strain of cyclodiene-resistant German cockroach. These toxicological results, along with the neurophysiological studies, confirm that JKU 0422 has a mode of action that is similar to the cyclodienes and TBPS. These findings suggest that the introduction and use of new chloride channel antagonists as insecticides should be managed carefully in order to prevent the rapid development of resistance in the field.

Animals↗

Lack of cross-resistance to indoxacarb in insecticide-resistant Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae).

Two field strains of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), collected from corn in north Florida showed high resistance to carbaryl (626- and 1159-fold) and moderate resistance to parathion-methyl (30- and 39-fold) as compared with a laboratory susceptible strain. A field strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) collected from cabbage in north Florida and selected for 20 generations with permethrin showed high resistance to permethrin (987-fold) as compared with a susceptible strain. However, in all instances, no cross-resistance to indoxacarb, a novel oxidiazine insecticide, was observed in these two species. Biochemical studies revealed that, in S. frugiperda, activities of detoxification enzymes (microsomal oxidase, glutathione S-transferase and general esterase) were significantly higher in the field strains than in the susceptible strain, indicating that these detoxification enzymes were not actively involved in the resistance to indoxacarb. The lack of cross-resistance between indoxacarb and permethrin in P. xylostella further supports the notion that the mode of action of these insecticides on the insect sodium channel is different.

Animals↗

The insecticide target in the PSST subunit of complex I.

Current insecticides have been selected by sifting and winnowing hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals and natural products to obtain commercial preparations of optimal effectiveness and safety. This process has often ended up with compounds of high potency as inhibitors of the electron transport chain and more specifically of complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase). Many classes of chemicals are involved and the enzyme is one of the most complicated known, with 43 subunits catalyzing electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone through flavin mononucleotide and up to eight iron-sulfur clusters. We used a potent photoaffinity ligand, (trifluoromethyl)diazirinyl[3H]pyridaben, to localize the insecticide target to a single high-affinity site in the PSST subunit that couples electron transfer from iron-sulfur cluster N2 to ubiquinone. Most importantly, all of the potent complex I-inhibiting pesticides, despite their great structural diversity, compete for this same specific binding domain in PSST. Finding their common mode of action and target provides insight into shared toxicological features and potential selection for resistant pests.

Animals↗

Sex-related response to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides in adult Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta.

During the development of a resistance-monitoring bioassay that uses males as the life-stage tested, the relationship of adult female and male susceptibility of Grapholita molesta to different classes of insecticides was investigated. Preliminary results indicated that more males survived diagnostic doses of azinphos-methyl than females. Additional research revealed that, although the body mass of adult male G molesta was only 69% of that of female moths (5.67 and 8.20 mg, respectively), their LC50 values were 2.6, 4.1 and 10.3 times higher than those of females for azinphosmethyl, malathion and parathion-methyl, respectively. However, female G molesta moths were more tolerant to methomyl than were male moths. There was no indication that this sex-related response occurred in G molesta larvae. The results presented here raise concerns regarding the use of pheromone traps for determining whether insecticide treatments are required and as part of resistance monitoring programs.

Animals↗

Bioassay and field-simulator studies of the efficacy of pymetrozine against peach-potato aphids, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), possessing different mechanisms of insecticide resistance.

Twenty-one clones of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), carrying various combinations of known mechanisms of insecticide resistance were assessed for their response to the new pyridine azomethine compound, pymetrozine, in leaf-dip bioassays. Pymetrozine was also applied as a foliar spray to populations of four different UK M persicae clones on potato plants in field-simulator chambers. Neither study showed any evidence of cross-resistance to this compound. Pymetrozine, used in conjunction with other effective aphicides, such as pirimicarb and imidacloprid, can therefore play an important role in insecticide resistance-management strategies for M persicae.

Animals↗

Variation in response to neonicotinoid insecticides in peach-potato aphids, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Laboratory bioassays applying the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, acetamiprid and nitenpyram against clones of the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) demonstrated that these compounds effectively circumvent the known carboxylesterase, modified acetylcholinesterase (MACE) and knock-down (kdr) insecticide resistance mechanisms in this species. However, some clones showed cross-tolerance (up to 18-fold) of these compounds relative to susceptible standards. A survey assessing the frequency of neonicotinoid tolerance in M persicae in the UK, based on samples collected from the field and glasshouses between 1997 and 2000, showed that such tolerance is still rare. Experiments on neonicotinoid-susceptible and -tolerant populations of M persicae under simulated field conditions in the laboratory showed that, although the latter were well controlled by imidacloprid applied at recommended application rates, they were more likely to survive and reproduce when this compound was applied at lower concentrations. Such conditions are probably periodically present in imidacloprid-treated field and glasshouse crops. Selection favouring tolerant forms of M persicae could lead to increases in their frequency and the evolution of more potent resistance to neonicotinoids.

Anabasine↗

Multifunctional lysozymes from the assassin bug Sycanus bifidus: Insecticidal proteins with anticoagulant and melanization inhibition properties.

BACKGROUND: Predatory hemipterans deploy complex venom cocktails to immobilize preys, yet the specific roles of many individual venom components remain poorly understood. RESULTS: Four lysozyme genes were identified from the genome of the predatory assassin bug Sycanus bifidus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), comprising one i-type (SbLyzi) and three c-type lysozyme genes (SbLyzc1-3). Transcriptomic and quantitative (q)PCR analyses revealed that these lysozymes were expressed at different levels in various venom glands. Of them, SbLyzc1-3 with signal peptides displayed significant transcriptions in the venom glands, implicating these lysozymes as venom constituents. Functional assays found that SbLyzc1 and SbLyzc2 showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. Three lysozymes (SbLyzi, SbLyzc1 and SbLyzc3) suppressed thrombin-induced fibrin clot formation, indicating anticoagulant activity, with SbLyzc1 exhibiting the greatest potency [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 0.036 ± 0.003 μg μL-1]. SbLyzi and SbLyzc1 inhibited phenoloxidase activity in the hemolymph of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor pupae, thereby suppressing its hemolymph melanization, with maximal inhibition rates of 78.4% and 74.3%, respectively. All four lysozymes exhibited insecticidal effects, causing >80% mortality in yellow mealworm pupae following injection of 6 μg per individual, with SbLyzc1 showing the highest insecticidal potency [half-maximal lethal dose (LD50) = 4.25 ± 0.51 μg g-1]. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that lysozymes from S. bifidus possess multifunctional biological activities and SbLyzc1-3 act as significant venom components involved in capturing prey, providing new insights into the functional diversity of lysozymes in predatory bugs and their potential application in biological control strategies. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Animals↗

Monitoring of insecticide resistance in damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli Schrank (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from German hop gardens.

The damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important sucking pests of many hop-growing areas world-wide. In this study we determined the efficacy of several insecticides against strains collected throughout the year 2001. All strains were collected in different hop gardens in the Hallertau (Bavaria), Germany, the largest hop-growing area of the world. First of all we established a leaf dip bioassay, carried out using six-well tissue culture plates and appropriate for monitoring susceptibility against imidacloprid, oxydemeton-methyl, cyfluthrin, amitraz, pymetrozine and pirimicarb. Four of these compounds, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, pymetrozine and amitraz, are currently registered for the control of sucking pests in German hop gardens and are useful against P. humuli. The leaf-dip bioassay system turned out to be very reliable and robust. Ten P. humuli strains were collected in May 2001 and maintained in the laboratory to assess their resistance to the different insecticides in comparison with two laboratory reference strains (H2 and H5). Using diagnostic concentrations, resistance monitoring for imidacloprid and cyfluthrin was investigated during July and August 2001 on 53 populations from 30 sites around the Hallertau, an area of ca 2500 km2. Resistance to diagnostic concentrations (LC95 for reference strains) of imidacloprid, amitraz and pymetrozine was not detected in any strain received in 2001, but late-season (August) populations seemed to respond more heterogeneously than those collected mid-season (July). Overall composite mean mortalities to diagnostic concentrations of imidacloprid (13 mg litre(-1)) in collections from May, July and August were 95 (+/-2.5), 98 (+/-2.3) and 87 (+/-5.9)%, respectively. Moderate resistance to pyrethroids was observed in all strains collected in May and August using a diagnostic concentrations of 10 mg litre(-1) cyfluthrin (LC95 of the susceptible reference strain H5). Slight to moderate resistance to diagnostic concentrations of oxydemeton-methyl and pirimicarb was observed in some, but not all, strains collected early season. The results are discussed in terms of the implemention of hop aphid resistance management strategies in German hop-cultivation areas.

Animals↗

Insecticide-resistant pollen beetles (Meligethes aeneus F) found in Danish oilseed rape (Brassica napus L) fields.

The pollen beetle is the most important pest in Danish oilseed rape fields. In 2001, we screened a broad range of pollen beetle populations for pyrethroid and dimethoate resistance. A standard dip-test was used to test insecticide resistance in 18 populations collected from oilseed winter and spring rape fields. The beetles were treated with four different insecticides: the pyrethroids tau-fluvalinate, lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate, and the organophosphate dimethoate. The results show that up to 99% of the pollen beetles survived Danish standard doses of pyrethroids and up to 36% of the beetles survived standard doses of dimethoate.

Animals↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of an acetylcholinesterase gene from the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti confers insecticide insensitivity.

Insecticide resistance is a serious problem facing the effective control of insect vectors of disease. Insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) confers resistance to organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate insecticides and is a widespread resistance mechanism in vector mosquitoes. Although the point mutations that underlie AChE insensitivity have been described from Drosophila, the Colorado potato beetle, and house flies, no resistance associated mutations have been documented from mosquitoes to date. We are therefore using a cloned acetylcholinesterase gene from the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti as a model in which to perform site directed mutagenesis in order to understand the effects of potential resistance associated mutations. The same resistance associated amino-acid replacements as found in other insects also confer OP and carbamate resistance to the mosquito enzyme. Here we describe the levels of resistance conferred by different combinations of these mutations and the effects of these mutations on the kinetics of the AChE enzyme. Over-expression of these constructs in baculovirus will facilitate purification of each of the mutant enzymes and a more detailed analysis of their associated inhibition kinetics.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Vertebrate cyclodiene insecticide resistance: role of gamma-aminobutyric acid and diazepam binding sites.

Certain populations of the mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) are highly resistant to cyclodiene and cyclodiene-type insecticides that competitively interact with the picrotoxinin binding site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-ionophore complex in the central nervous system. Resistance involves a reduction in affinity of the picrotoxinin binding site. The present study reports that GABA receptor binding is increased in resistant brain membranes compared to membranes from susceptible fish at concentrations of free radioligand above 0.2 microM. The increase appears to be due to a greater number of binding sites (Bmax) in the resistant population. Diazepam binding affinity (Kd) and Bmax were not different in membranes from resistant fish compared to those from susceptible fish. Up-regulation of GABA binding sites in the resistant fish population may compensate for a possible reduction of GABAergic transmission caused by chronic environmental exposure to cyclodiene insecticides. However, a lack of cross-resistance to bicuculline (a competitive GABA antagonist) indicates that an increase in GABA sites is not a mechanism of cyclodiene resistance.

Animals↗