The mode of entry of contact insecticides

Experiments have been carried out to test the generally accepted view that contact insecticides enter into the central nervous system via the haemolymph. So far, they have only produced evidence to the contrary As an alternative route, it is suggested that these insecticides reach the site of action via the integumental tissues of the body wall and the tracheal system. The evidence for this is discussed.     

Is Apis mellifera more sensitive to insecticides than other insects?

BACKGROUND: Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are among the most important pollinators in natural and agricultural settings. They commonly encounter insecticides, and the effects of insecticides on honey bees have been frequently noted. It has been suggested that honey bees may be (as a species) uniquely sensitive to insecticides, although no comparative toxicology study has been undertaken to examine this claim. An extensive literature review was conducted, using data in which adult insects were topically treated with insecticides. The goal of this review was to summarize insecticide toxicity data between A. mellifera and other insects to determine the relative sensitivity of honey bees to insecticides. RESULTS: It was found that, in general, honey bees were no more sensitive than other insect species across the 62 insecticides examined. In addition, honey bees were not more sensitive to any of the six classes of insecticides (carbamates, nicotinoids, organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids and miscellaneous) examined. CONCLUSIONS: While honey bees can be sensitive to individual insecticides, they are not a highly sensitive species to insecticides overall, or even to specific classes of insecticides. However, all pesticides should be used in a way that minimizes honey bee exposure, so as to minimize possible declines in the number of bees and/or honey contamination. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Role of insect haemolymph in translocation of insecticides

A ligature round the “waist” of the housefly was shown to block effectively the flow of haemolymph between the abdomen and the rest of the body, but it did not prevent the toxic action of certain contact insecticides. These included representatives of four major chemical types. The ligature appeared to have little effect on the speed of action of these compounds, suggesting that the haemolymph is not important in their transport to the site of action.     

Synthetic Pyrethroid Insecticides: Some Studies with Locusts

Abstract

Laboratory studies were carried out to determine the course of poisoning and toxicity of some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides (bioresmethrin, cismethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate and permethrin) against the desert locust. From doses in excess of the LD₉₉ all the insecticides were quick acting; from doses of about the LD₉₉ or less the insects are rapidly knocked down or show symptoms of poisoning, but may recover. The symptoms which follow treatment by the various insecticides are described. Although these insecticides are all highly toxic to locusts there are many other insecticides which are similarly toxic, can be sprayed at high concentrations and are much cheaper.     

Fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance

Insects are exposed to a variety of stress factors in their environment, and, in many cases for insect pests to agriculture, those factors include toxic chemical insecticides. Coping with the toxicity of insecticides can be costly and requires energy and resource allocation for adaptation and survival. Several behavioural, physiological and genetic mechanisms are used by insects to handle toxic insecticides, sometimes leading to resistance by constitutive overexpression of detoxification enzymes or inducing mutations in the target sites. Such actions are costly and may affect reproduction, impair dispersal ability and have several other effects on the insect's fitness. Fitness costs resulting from resistance to insecticides has been reported in many insects from different orders, and several examples are given in this mini‐review. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

杀虫剂对新菠萝灰粉蚧的室内毒力测定

在室内采用浸叶法测定了氧化乐果、杀扑磷、毒死蜱、灭多威、吡虫啉、高效氯氰菊酯、阿维菌素及矿物油对新菠萝灰粉蚧若虫的毒力,结果表明处理24h后,对1龄若虫的毒力大小顺序为:毒死蜱>灭多威>高效氯氰菊酯>氧化乐果>吡虫啉>杀扑磷>阿维菌素>矿物油;对2龄若虫的毒力大小顺序为:毒死蜱>灭多威>吡虫啉>氧化乐果>杀扑磷>高效氯氰菊酯>阿维菌素>矿物油;对3龄若虫的毒力大小顺序为:毒死蜱>灭多威>吡虫啉>杀扑磷>高效氯氰菊酯>氧化乐果>阿维菌素>矿物油。测定了氧化乐果、杀扑磷、毒死蜱、灭多威、吡虫啉及高效氯氰菊酯对新菠萝灰粉蚧雌成虫的毒力,结果表明处理24h后,对雌成虫的毒力大小顺序为:杀扑磷>毒死蜱>吡虫啉>高效氯氰菊酯>氧化乐果>灭多威。结果表明毒死蜱、灭多威、吡虫啉和杀扑磷等可作为控制新菠萝灰粉蚧发生的药剂。     

昆虫对生物农药的抗性机制及对策

本文综述了昆虫对B.t等生物杀虫剂的抗性机制及延缓昆虫抗性发展所应采取的措施。昆虫通过下列不同机制产生抗生：1）昆虫的血淋巴对B.t等生物杀虫剂的营养细胞的抑制作用。2）各种来源的蛋白酶对毒素蛋白的过度降解作用。3）昆虫中肠沉淀蛋白对毒素蛋白的沉淀作用。4）中肠上皮修复能力增强。5）中肠的吸附位点对毒素蛋白的亲和力下降。通过加强对B.t菌株的选育，合理科学的用药方式及采用不同的模式进行植物基因操作以提高杀虫蛋白的表达和活性等综合措施，减缓和降低昆虫抗性的发展。     

菜粉蝶绒茧蜂田间种群消长动态及农药对其毒性

自１９９５－１９９７年在杭州市郊对菜粉蝶绒茧蜂的田间种群消长动态进行了调查,并在内测定了７类１１种常用杀虫剂对该蜂的毒性。结果表明,该蜂在５－７月份的寄生率较高,８－９月份较低,晚秋后又有回升,年度之间有一定差异。     

Effects of dieldrin and sumithion on the amino acid nitrogen and proteins in the haemolymph of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria Forsk

The changes in amino acid nitrogen, proline, and proteins in the haemolymph of desert locusts at different stages of dieldrin and sumithion posioning are reported using techniques of colorimetry, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Sephadex gel chromatography, and electro-gel chromatography.Both the insecticides did not alter amino acid nitrogen and proline titers during the initial stages of poisoning. However, drastic changes were noted at the later stages. In comparison to amino acid nitrogen, the depletion in proline content was of much higher magnitude. Initially the protein content of haemolymph depleted and increased significantly at the acute poisoning stage. Several changes in the electrophoregrams and protein elution profiles were noted in the haemolymph samples of treated insects. Many new proteins were detected in treated insects and their molecular weights, diffusion coefficients, and Stoke's radii are reported.These results are discussed in relation to current ideas of protein metabolism in insects. Further, a possible role of haemolymph proteins as insecticide carriers has been postulated.     

Kombinierter Einsatz von synthetischen Insektiziden und Bacillus thuringiensis sowie Trichogramma evanescens gegen ausgewa¨hlte Scha¨dlinge an Vigna sesquipedalis unter tropischen Tieflandbedingungen

Field experiments with the synthetic insecticides, Methomyl and Carbaryl, alone and in combination with the biological control agents, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Trichogramma evanescens, were conducted to control pests in yardlong beans, Vigna sesquipedalis, during the dry season 1998/1999. The experimental area was located at the Central Luzon State University in the province of Nueva Ecija on the Philippine main island Luzon. Carbaryl was applied against bean flies 5 days after plant emergence. Methomyl was sprayed against pod sucking insects and the bean podborer, Maruca vitrata, 45 days after plant emergence. The biological control agents were applied with the beginning of the flowering stage of V. sesquipedalis, when plants were first attacked by M. vitrata.Major insect pests on V. sesquipedalis were cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), leafminer (Liriomyza sp.), and bean podborer (M. vitrata). Both, Bt and T. evanescens had no significant impact on yield. M. vitrata eggs, exposed for 48 hours in the fields to augmented T. evanescens, were used to measure field efficacy of the parasitoid. Highest parasitism rate was 13.3%, thus, generally low.Highest yield was obtained from plots treated with both synthetic insecticides. No significant difference in fresh pod yield was observed when, in addition to the synthetic insecticides, Bt and/or T. evanescens was applied. However, all treatments significantly out-yielded the untreated control.     

The detection and distribution of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide-resistant Myzus persicae (Sulz.) in Britain in 1976

Examination of the enzyme that determines the level of resistance to organophosphorus insecticides and carbamates in Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and bioassays were used to establish the frequency and resistance levels of resistant aphids on outdoor crops in Britain in 1976. The biochemical tests, staining esterase-4 after electrophoresis and total esterase determination, were more sensitive than bioassays. However the dip-test, a simple, rapid and inexpensive bioassay designed to detect resistance and its different levels gave satisfactory results which warrant its use where biochemical detection of resistance is not possible. Carboxylesterase activities of M. persicae collected in 1976 fell into three groups: low, moderate and high, and these were correlated with differences in tolerance to dimethoate, demeton-S-methyl and pirimicarb. Aphids with low esterase activity were susceptible(S). Those with the moderately active enzyme (R₁) had five- to seven-fold resistance to the two organophosphorus insecticides and were marginally resistant (about two-fold) to pirimicarb. The insects with the most active esterase (R₂) were strongly resistant to dimethoate (resistance factor, RF × 126) and moderately resistant to demeton-S-methyl (RF × 17) and pirimicarb (RF × 8). Some R₁, but no S aphids survived the recommended dose of demeton-S-methyl on field crops probably because they were under the lowest leaves and therefore protected from direct contact with the spray. Laboratory tests demonstrated that these R₁ aphids tolerated the residual deposit and systemic dose present in the leaves of the treated potato-plants. This enabled their numbers to recover in treated fields much faster than the susceptible insects which could do so by immigration only when the residual dose in the plant was no longer toxic. R₁ aphids were common throughout the country particularly in eastern England where susceptible aphids were rare, but in the Shardlow area of Derbyshire susceptible aphids were in the majority throughout the summer. R₂ aphids were found only in samples from the west of Scotland and northern England. The implications of the presence of aphids with different levels of resistance for aphid control are discussed.     

保护地常用农药对蜡蚧轮枝菌菌丝生长影响研究

6种杀虫剂和 6种杀菌剂对昆虫病原真菌蜡蚧轮枝菌菌丝生长影响的研究结果表明 ,杀虫剂对蜡蚧轮枝菌菌丝生长有程度不同的抑制作用。在田间常规使用浓度下 ,5种杀虫剂对菌丝生长的抑制率在 10 %以上 ,最高者为甲氰菊酯达 17.6%。田间常规使用浓度稀释 10倍下 ,杀虫剂万灵、快灭净和锐劲特对菌丝生长抑制率低于 5% ,锐劲特在3.3～33.3mg/L时 ,菌丝生长与对照无显著差异 ,表现出与蜡蚧轮枝菌有极好的相容性 ,是菌药混用较好的候选杀虫剂。杀菌剂对蜡蚧轮枝菌菌丝生长有强烈的抑制作用 ,浓度愈高 ,抑制程度愈强。因此 ,在利用蜡蚧轮枝菌防治保护地蔬菜害虫时 ,须与杀菌剂使用保持一定的间隔期     

The synthesis and insecticidal activity of indole-derived carbamates

Thirty-seven novel 3H-indolyl and indolinyl carbamates were synthesised as potential insecticides. They were generally found to be good inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase in vitro, but although several compounds were highly insecticidal no correlation was found between their in vitro activity and their in vivo performance. Experimental evidence suggested that the insecticidal activity of the compounds was governed by a combination of their relative rates of penetration into insects and subsequent metabolic breakdown.     

Biochemical and histological effects of gibberellic acid on Locusta migratoria migratoria fifth instar larvae

Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃), a plant growth regulator, on Locusta migratoria migratoria fifth instar larvae. Newly emerged larvae were exposed to various concentrations of GA₃ administered by topical application or by forced ingestion. Results showed that treated insects exhibited toxic symptoms with a dose-dependent mortality. GA₃ toxicity was also demonstrated by perturbation of the moult processes. In fact, we noted that treated insects present exuviations difficulties due to the impossibility to reject the old integuments causing mortality in the 5th instar larvae. Histological study of proventriculus revealed alterations in the epithelial cells and absence of apolysis phenomenon. Data also showed that GA₃ induced significant quantitative variation of haemolymph metabolites. These changes result in a significant decrease in the total concentration of proteins and carbohydrates and an increase in the total concentration of haemolymph lipids.     

昆虫对双酰胺类杀虫剂抗性机制研究进展

双酰胺类杀虫剂是以昆虫鱼尼丁受体为作用靶标的新型杀虫剂,由于其作用机制独特,对多种鳞翅目害虫具有良好的防治效果而得到广泛应用。但已经有多种害虫的田间种群对该类药剂产生了抗性,甚至导致田间防治失败。本文在综述昆虫对双酰胺类杀虫剂抗性现状的基础上,重点总结了抗性机制方面的最新研究进展,并对今后的研究方向进行了展望,以期为进一步深入研究双酰胺类杀虫剂的抗性机制提供借鉴。     

A beekeeper's perspective on the neonicotinoid ban

Bees and agrochemicals have a long history. For example, the first volume of IBRA's journal Bee World in 1919 contains mention of poisoning of bees by spraying an orchard with lead arsenate. Bees being insects, it is self‐evident that the use of insecticides to control crop pests poses a risk to them. Bee poisoning incidents became a very serious problem in the 1960s and 1970s with spraying of, in particular, oilseed rape with organophosphorus compounds. The introduction of carbamates and then especially synthetic pyrethroids reduced these problems. Data from the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme show that in recent years there have been very few poisoning incidents in the United Kingdom that can be attributed to agricultural insecticides. The introduction of neonicotinoid insecticides has, however, been very controversial. Almost as soon as they were introduced in the 1990s, French beekeepers blamed colony losses on imidacloprid used on sunflowers and maize, but restrictions on its use did not lead to a reduction in losses or to a reduction in beekeepers' concerns. Acute pesticide poisoning incidents by neonicotinoids in Germany and Italy in 2008 further sealed their reputation. Despite laboratory evidence showing their harm, field experience remains equivocal, and many commercial beekeepers continue to move their colonies to oilseed rape crops for honey production. The neonicotinoid moratorium has undoubtedly led to the increased use of older insecticides, and the effect of this on bee populations is unknown and unquantified. Many beekeepers are currently confused by the conflicting evidence. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Rapid Method for Screening Insecticides in the Laboratory

An efficient method for rapidly mass-screening insecticides for use against sap-feeding virus vectors is presented with a case study of 30 chemicals. The method permits large numbers of insecticides to be tested simultaneously and relatively inexpensively in a sequence of laboratory bioassays. The sequence is designed to find the most effective pesticide at the lowest concentration giving control without phytotoxicity. The system was derived to test candidate insecticides to control tomato yellow leaf curl virus vectored by the tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennad., the most serious pest of greenhouse and field tomatoes in the Middle East. Although the insecticides were all more efficacious in the laboratory than in the field, bioassay results were highly correlated with results from field trials, giving high confidence that the screening process selected only the most efficacious insecticides. Most of the insecticides accepted by the screening process have since been adopted by vegetable growers in Israel. The method is not intended to eliminate field efficacy trials, but to reduce the number of trials and treatments that need to be performed, thereby reducing costs. The method provides for the optimization of application rates which will contribute to the expected life of insecticides before resistance develops, and will also help to reduce environmental contamination. In addition, the method is suitable for estimating relative efficacy for pesticide benefits assessments, a required part of the (re-)registration process for pesticides in some countries. Although developed for screening insecticides against virus-transmitting sap-feeding insects, the method could be modified to assess the efficacy of insecticides in controlling other insect pests.     

Effect of synthetic insecticides on the larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coccinella septempunctata</Emphasis> from Greek populations

Coccinella septempunctata L. is one of the most abundant ladybird species in Greece, preying on several aphid species and other arthropods, of which many are pests of cultivated plants. These pests are usually controlled with chemical insecticides. During this process, however, beneficials are also exposed to pesticides. The development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs against aphids requires the evaluation of the effects of insecticides on beneficial insects. We evaluated the LD₅₀ of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, bifenthrin and deltamethrin on first, second, third and fourth instar larvae of C. septempunctata by topical application. Moreover, we studied their sublethal effects (LD₁₀) on the development, weight and prey consumption of fourth instar larvae. The topical application bioassays showed that deltamethrin and bifenthrin were highly toxic to all larval instars, whereas imidacloprid and acetamiprid were less toxic to fourth instar larvae. The LD₁₀ dose significantly affected, developmental time, adult weight and daily predation. These results show the importance of assessing potential effect of insecticides on C. septempunctata for developing effective IPM programs of aphids in Greece.     

Can selective peptides be combined efficiently with agrochemicals? A new approach to insect control

Sodium channels have been a major target for the development of insecticides such as synthetic pyrethroids. However, insecticides currently available induce resistance and present limited selectivity to insect pests. Molecular and biochemical studies, as well as binding experiments using radiolabelled neurotoxins, have shown that sodium channels expressed in various insect orders must be structurally and pharmacologically different. At least three groups of peptide neurotoxins derived from scorpion venom are highly active on insects and very weakly or practically inactive on mammals. It is proposed that various insecticides are examined for possible cooperative interactions with the peptide toxins highly active on insects, and pairs of ligands are identified that will increase the selectivity not only between mammals and insects but also between different pest and non-pest insects. This is feasible on the basis of the differential allosteric modulations observed between LqhαIT, an α-toxin highly active on insects, and brevetoxin on locust versus cockroach and rat brain sodium channels. Moreover, combination of LqhαIT with the pyrethroid deltamethrin increased the binding of [¹²⁵I] LqhαIT by more than 1.8-fold, and the combined presence of brevetoxin further increased the binding. Such allosteric modulation may provide a new approach to increase the selective activity of pesticides on target organisms by simultaneous application of allosterically interacting drugs, designed on the basis of the selective peptide toxins.     

Comparative properties of N-acetyl derivatives of oxime N-methylcarbamates and aryl N-methylcarbamates as insecticides and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

N-acylation of aryl N-methylcarbamates is known to reduce their mammalian toxicity considerably without adversely affecting their insecticidal activity. It has now been found that N-acylation of several insecticidal oxime carbamates results in loss of toxicity both to insects and mammals. Kinetic data for base-catalysed solvolysis and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, together with published work on metabolism, are combined to provide a rationale for this unexpected observation and to account for the selective toxicity of aryl N-acetyl-N-methylcarbamates.