Pyrethroid tolerance in Culex pipiens pipiens var molestus from Marin County, California

In May 2001 a sample of Culex pipiens pipiens variety molestus Forskål from Marin County, California, collected as larvae and reared to adults, was found to show reduced resmethrin and permethrin knock‐down responses in bottle bioassays relative to a standard susceptible Cx pipiens quinquefasciatus Say colony (CQ1). Larval susceptibility tests, using CQ1 as standard susceptible, indicated that the Marin mosquitoes had LC₅₀ resistance ratios of 18.3 for permethrin, 12 for deltamethrin and 3.3 for pyrethrum. A colony of Marin was established and rapidly developed higher levels of resistance in a few generations after exposure to permethrin as larvae. These selected larvae were shown to cross‐resist to lambda‐cyhalothrin as well as to DDT. However, adult knock‐down time in the presence of permethrin, resmethrin and pyrethrum was not increased after increase in tolerance to pyrethroids as larvae. Partial and almost complete reversion to susceptibility as larvae was achieved with S, S, S‐tributylphosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide (PBO), respectively, suggesting the presence of carboxylesterase and P450 monooxygenase mediated resistance. Insensitive target site resistance (kdr) was also detected in some Marin mosquitoes by use of an existing PCR‐based diagnostic assay designed for Cx p pipiens L mosquitoes. Carboxylesterase mediated resistance was supported by use of newly synthesized novel pyrethroid‐selective substrates in activity assays. Bottle bioassays gave underestimates of the levels of tolerance to pyrethroids of Marin mosquitoes when compared with mortality rates in field trials using registered pyrethroid adulticides with and without PBO. This study represents the first report of resistance to pyrethroids in a feral population of a mosquito species in the USA. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti (L.) from Colombia

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the insecticide susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Colombia, and as part of the National Network of Insecticide Resistance Surveillance, 12 mosquito populations were assessed for resistance to pyrethroids, organophosphates and DDT. Bioassays were performed using WHO and CDC methodologies. The underlying resistance mechanisms were investigated through biochemical assays and RT‐PCR. RESULTS: All mosquito populations were susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin, and highly resistant to DDT and etofenprox. Resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin, permethrin and fenitrothion ranged from moderate to high in some populations from Chocó and Putumayo states. In Antioquia state, the Santa Fe population was resistant to fenitrothion. Biochemical assays showed high levels of both cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) and non‐specific esterases (NSE) in some of the fenitrothion‐ and pyrethroid‐resistant populations. All populations showed high levels of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity. GSTe2 gene was found overexpressed in DDT‐resistant populations compared with Rockefeller susceptible strain. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in insecticide resistance status were observed between insecticides and localities. Although the biochemical assay results suggest that CYP and NSE could play an important role in the pyrethroid and fenitrothion resistance detected, other mechanisms remain to be investigated, including knockdown resistance. Resistance to DDT was high in all populations, and GST activity is probably the main enzymatic mechanism associated with this resistance. The results of this study provide baseline data on insecticide resistance in Colombian A. aegypti populations, and will allow comparison of changes in susceptibility status in this vector over time. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Why does DDT toxicity change after a blood meal in adult female Culex pipiens?

The toxicity of topically applied DDT to adult female anautogenous mosquitoes (Culex pipiens L.) showed dramatic variations in blood-fed insects. It decreased very rapidly about twofold to a minimum at 24 hr after a blood meal, then increased within 72 hr back to values typical of non-blood fed insects. A comparison of the metabolism of [¹⁴C]DDT in vivo revealed an increase in DDT dehydrochlorination to DDE at 72 hr after a blood meal, but this increase was not responsible for the variations in DDT toxicity at 24 hr. Changes in penetration rates were not observed and changes in the distribution of DDT could likewise not be related to the short period of decreased toxicity of DDT. Fenvalerate and trans-permethrin, two pyrethroid insecticides which are believed to have a mode of action similar to that of DDT, were also significantly less toxic 24 hr after a blood meal. By contrast, the cyclodiene insecticide aldrin and the carbamate insecticide propoxur were not less toxic 24 hr after a blood meal. The results suggest that after a blood meal an unidentified and transient change in C. pipiens specifically decreases DDT/pyrethroid toxicity. A hypothesis concerning this transient change is advanced. The results illustrate the difficulties in explaining physiological changes in insecticide toxicity.     

Synergism by Propynyl Aryl Ethers in Permethrin-Resistant Tobacco Budworm Larvae,Heliothis virescens

Synergists were used to diagnose possible mechanisms of permethrin resistance in permethrin-selected strains of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). In addition to permethrin, these strains of the tobacco budworm were resistant to α-cyano-pyrethroid insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides and DDT. The monooxygenase-inhibiting prop-2-ynyl aryl ethers were the only effective synergists of permethrin among 16 candidates tested. The most effective synergist was 1,2,4-trichloro-3-(2-propynyloxy)benzene. Piperonyl butoxide, a common monooxygenase-inhibiting synergist in other species and tobacco budworm strains, was inactive. These results suggested the presence and contribution of an unusual monooxygenase in the enzymatic detoxication of permethrin. DDT cross-resistance, which was not synergized, and broad pyrethroid cross-resistance supported previous evidence for target site insensitivity as a second pyrethroid-resistance mechanism in these strains. The actions of S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (TBPT) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) suggested that hydrolytic detoxication, important in methyl parathion-resistance tobacco budworm strains, had little or no role in conferring pyrethroid resistance in these strains.     

Identification and expression profiles of nine glutathione S-transferase genes from the important rice phloem sap-sucker and virus vector Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) have received considerable attention in insects for their roles in insecticide resistance. Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) is a serious rice pest. L. striatellus outbreaks occur frequently throughout eastern Asia. A key problem in controlling this pest is its rapid adaptation to numerous insecticides. In this research, nine cDNAs encoding GSTs in L. striatellus were cloned and characterised. RESULTS: The cloned GSTs of L. striatellus belonged to six cytosolic classes and a microsomal subgroup. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of each of the six insecticides, DDT, chlorpyrifos, fipronil, imidacloprid, buprofezin and beta‐cypermethrin, quickly induced (6 h) up‐expression of LsGSTe1. The expression of LsGSTs2 was increased by chlorpyrifos, fipronil and beta‐cypermethrin. Furthermore, exposure of L. striatellus to fipronil, imidacloprid, buprofezin and beta‐cypermethrin increased the expression of the LsGSTm gene after 24 or 48 h. CONCLUSION: This work is the first identification of GST genes from different GST groups in Auchenorrhyncha species and their induction characteristics with insecticide types and time. The elevated expression of GST genes induced by insecticides might be related to the enhanced tolerance of this insect to insecticides and xenobiotics. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

四种拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂对枸杞蚜虫的毒力及对三磷酸腺苷酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性的影响

为寻找防治枸杞蚜虫的适用药剂,采用玻璃管药膜法,测定了4种拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂对枸杞蚜虫的毒力及对其三磷酸腺苷酶(ATPase)和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)活性的影响。结果表明:枸杞蚜虫对联苯菊酯最敏感,LC50值为4.34 mg/L;氯菊酯、高效氯氰菊酯和甲氰菊酯的LC50值分别为17.08、40.50和184.84 mg/L。4种杀虫剂对枸杞蚜虫两种ATPase活性均有抑制作用,药剂浓度为1×10-4mol/L时,4种药剂对Na+-K+-ATPase活性的抑制率均高于对Ca2+-M g2+-ATPase的抑制率,其中对Na+-K+-ATPase活性的抑制率从高到低依次为:联苯菊酯高效氯氰菊酯氯菊酯甲氰菊酯,而对Ca2+-M g2+-ATPase的抑制率则是联苯菊酯最高(46.41%),高效氯氰菊酯最低(33.04%)。4种药剂对枸杞蚜虫GSTs活性的影响差异较大:联苯菊酯在低浓度时对GSTs具有诱导作用,高浓度时则表现为一定的抑制作用;不同浓度高效氯氰菊酯和氯菊酯对GSTs活性均表现为抑制作用,抑制率最高达85.02%;而甲氰菊酯处理后GSTs的活性则升高了193.07%~249.96%。     

Pyrethroid insecticide resistance and treated bednets efficacy in malaria control

Most of the studies on insecticide impregnated bednets efficacy in malaria control have been undertaken in areas where mosquitoes are pyrethroid susceptible. The efficacy of pyrethroid-treated bednets was not compromised even when mosquitoes were kdr resistant. Here, we evaluate a case in which mosquitoes have kdr-like pyrethroid resistance coupled with metabolic mechanisms. Metabolic and kdr-resistance mechanisms in Anopheles stephensi were characterised in our previous study and this easily colonised species was used as a model to examine the efficacy of pyrethroid-treated bednets in the laboratory. Bioassays performed on adults of susceptible (Beech) and resistant (DUB-S) strains using WHO 0.75% permethrin-impregnated papers showed a resistance ratio of 9.75. The recovery rate of the mosquitoes of the DUB-S strain was significantly higher than that of the susceptible strain Beech. The overall permethrin metabolism rates by DUB-S, measured by HPLC method, were 1.5-fold more than by Beech strain. Bioassays performed on DUB-S mosquitoes using different pyrethroid-treated bednets showed that only deltamethrin at 25 mg/m² and α-cypermethrin at 40 mg/m² produced adequate mortality rates. Four other pyrethroids, including permethrin, were ineffective. The deterrency test performed on susceptible and resistant An. stephensi showed that there are significant differences between the entry rates of susceptible and resistant mosquitoes into the exposure tube containing permethrin-treated bednet. These data show that when mosquitoes have both kdr-type and metabolic resistance mechanisms, the efficacy of pyrethroid-treated bednets is questionable.     

梨小食心虫谷胱甘肽S-转移酶基因序列分析及其与吡虫啉的相关性

为明确梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（glutathione S-transferase,GST）对吡虫啉的代谢作用,基于不同亚致死浓度吡虫啉处理的梨小食心虫转录组数据库进行筛选,并通过生物信息学分析、系统发育树构建、保守位点序列比对、分子对接和表达谱分析来确定梨小食心虫代谢吡虫啉过程中的关键GST。结果显示,共筛选到梨小食心虫的17个GST基因,其中GmGSTS1、GmGSTD2、GmGSTE5和GmGSTE4基因编码的蛋白与苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella的GST蛋白有较高的相似性,相似度达69.12%～89.66%。梨小食心虫GmGSTD2蛋白G位点和H位点的保守氨基酸与褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens及烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci代谢吡虫啉相关GST氨基酸序列完全一致。吡虫啉与梨小食心虫GmGSTD2蛋白G位点的ARG-66和H位点的TYR-112可以形成稳定的氢键;与GmGSTE3蛋白G位点的LEU-45和H位点的LYS-123可以形成稳定的氢键。在吡虫啉处理后,梨小食心虫体内GmGSTD2和GmGSTE3基因的表达量显...     

Quantification of GST and esterase activities in pyrethrin-resistant mosquitoes using pyrethroid-like fluorescent substrates

Botanical pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids are highly potent and environmentally safe insecticides that are used to control a wide range of disease vector and pest arthropods. Unfortunately, resistance to these insecticides has been demonstrated in numerous medically important mosquito species. In this study, adult Culex pipiens sensu lato were captured in agricultural and urban locations in Fresno County, California, and subsequently exposed to a commercial formulation of pyrethrin insecticide by ultra-low-volume spraying. Following insecticide exposure, two pyrethroid-like, fluorescent substrates (4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-6-yl, cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (cis-DCVC) and 4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-6-yl, cis-3-((Z)-2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (cis-TFMCVC)) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were used to measure esterase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in surviving mosquitoes. Elevated esterase activity (2.5-fold) was found in surviving urban mosquitoes at 12-h post-pyrethrin exposure (in comparison to non-insecticide-exposed control mosquitoes) when cis-TFMCVC was used as a substrate. Additionally, when CDNB was used as a substrate, 2.8-fold higher GST activity was found. A simple assay was established using our pyrethroid-like, fluorescent substrates that was able to detect low-level esterase activities in homogenates made from individual mosquitoes. The cis-TFMCVC-based assay suggested that esterase activity plays a role in pyrethrin resistance in urban mosquitoes in California.     

Glutathione transferases and herbicide detoxification in suspension-cultured cells of giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) catalysing the conjugation of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, the chloro-s-triazine herbicide atrazine, the chloroacetanilide herbicides metolachlor and alachlor and the diphenyl ether herbicide fluorodifen have been identified in suspension-cultured cells derived from the grass weed giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.). In contrast to suspension-cultured cells of maize, where atrazine-conjugating GSTs are lost during de-differentiation, the GSTs active toward this herbicide in S. faberi plants were also expressed in cultures, suggesting that these isoenzymes are subject to different regulation in the crop and weed. As a result, glutathione conjugation was the major route of atrazine metabolism in S. faberi cultures. Activities of these GSTs were maximal three days after sub-culturing when the cells were dividing most actively, when they were determined to be in the order CDNB>alachlor>metolachlor= fluorodifen>atrazine. This indicated that GSTs which are enhanced during cell division can metabolise herbicides. On the basis of activity per mg protein, GST activities in the cultures were between 20 and 60-fold higher than those determined in the foliage of S. faberi seedlings. The GSTs with activity towards CDNB were resolved into three peaks following anion-exchange chromatography at pH 7·8 using Q-Sepharose. Peak 1 GSTs were not retained, while peak 2 and peak 3 were sequentially resolved with an increasing concentration of salt. Peak 1 GSTs showed activity toward metolachlor and atrazine but showed little activity toward fluorodifen. Peak 2 and peak 3 GSTs were active toward atrazine and metolachlor, with peak 3 being particularly associated with activity toward fluorodifen. The GSTs in these peaks were then further purified using S-hexyl-glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography. In each case, the affinity-bound fraction of the GSTs consisted of 28 kDa and 26 kDa polypeptides, suggesting that the GST isoenzymes in S. faberi cultures are composed of related subunits. Our results demonstrate that the GST isoenzymes involved in herbicide metabolism in suspension cultures of a grass weed show a similar level of complexity to that determined in maize cell cultures. © 1998 SCI     

Resistance management strategies in malaria vector mosquito control. A large-scale field trial in Southern Mexico

A resistance management programme comparing rotations, mosaics and single use of insecticides for residual house-spraying against the insect vectors of malaria is being carried out in Southern Mexico. The area was chosen because of its prior history of insecticide use, relatively sedentary vector, and physical features of the area which limit inward migration of insects to the study area. A high level of resistance to DDT and low levels of organophosphorus (OP), carbamate and pyrethroid resistance were detected by WHO discriminating-dose assays in field populations of Anopheles albimanus in the pre-spray period in the region where this resistance management project is being undertaken. After the first year of spraying, resistance, as measured by a discriminating-dose assay, was still at a high level for DDT and had risen for all the other insecticides. Biochemical assays showed that DDT resistance was primarily caused by elevated levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity leading to increased rates of metabolism of DDT to DDE. The numbers of individuals with elevated GST and DDT resistance were well correlated, suggesting that this is the only major DDT resistance mechanism in this population. The carbamate resistance in this population was conferred by an altered acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mechanism. The level of resistance in bioassays correlated well with the frequency of individuals homozygous for the altered AChE allele. This suggests that the level of resistance conferred by this mechanism in its heterozygous state is below the level of detection of the bioassay. The low levels of OP and pyrethroid resistance could be conferred by either the elevated esterase or monooxygenase enzymes. The esterases, however, are elevated only with p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), and are unlikely to be causing broad-spectrum OP resistance. The altered AChE mechanism may also be contributing to the OP but not the pyrethroid resistance. There were significant differences in some resistance gene frequencies for insects obtained by different indoor and outdoor trapping methods. To determine whether the different sampling methods were effectively sampling the same interbreeding population, RAPD analysis of insects obtained by different collection methods in different villages was undertaken. There was no observed variability in the RAPD patterns for the different mosquito samples with a number of primers. ©1997 SCI     

Carbofuran triggers flight motor output in pyrethroid-blocked reflex pathways of the house fly

The initiation of flight from loss of tarsal contact (flight reflex responses) and the tergotrochanteral muscle (TTM) responses evoked by brain stimulation were analyzed during carbofuran, permethrin, deltamethrin, and DDT poisoning in the house fly. Blockage of the flight reflex by LD₅₀ doses of permethrin or deltamethrin was rapid, but the effects of DDT on the flight reflex took hours to develop. In addition, carbofuran treatment induced spontaneous flight in blocked preparations by an action in the central nervous system. This result suggests that pyrethroid blockage of the flight reflex was due to an action on sensory nerves, since the central flight program and its associated efferent systems were functionally intact. The relevance of this finding in terms of pyrethroid knockdown is discussed. The TTM response was unaffected by permethrin or deltamethrin both early and late in the poisoning process, possibly because the evoked TTM response does not involve peripheral sensory nerves, which seem to be important sites of pyrethroid action early in poisoning. Carbofuran induced repetitive firing and blockage of the TTM response within 1 hr, but normal responses were observed late in poisoning, which is consistent with the reversibility of carbamate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. DDT caused no change in the evoked TTM response until bursts were recorded about 15 hr after treatment; this was another example of a slowly developing DDT effect. The protracted development of various DDT actions was concordant with a hypothesis of reduced efficacy at a proposed target site, viz., the sodium channels of nerve membranes.     

Various mechanisms responsible for permethrin metabolic resistance in seven field-collected strains of the German cockroach from Iran, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Insecticide resistance in the German cockroach can be mediated by a number of mechanisms, the most common being enhanced enzymatic metabolism. Seven field-collected strains of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) with various levels of resistance to pyrethroids, five out of which were also cross-resistant to DDT were used in this study. The investigation of possible mechanisms responsible for permethrin resistance was carried out using the synergists PBO, DEF and DMC and biochemical assays, including general esterases, glutathione S-transeferases and monooxygenases assays, using an automated microtitre plate reader. PBO and DEF, the inhibitors of cytochrome p450 monooxygenases and general esterases, respectively, affected permethrin resistance to varying degrees depending on the strain. DDT resistance in five strains were not completely eliminated by the synergist DMC, an inhibitor of glutathione S-transferase enzymes, suggesting that a further non-metabolic resistance mechanism such as kdr-type may be present. This suggestion was further supported by GST assay data, where a little elevation in GST activity was detected in only two strains. The synergist data supported by biochemical assays implicated that cytochrome p450 monooxygenases or hydrolases are involved in permethrin resistance in some strains. However, these results implicated both enhanced oxidative and hydrolytic metabolism of permethrin as resistance mechanism in the other strains. The results of synergist and biochemical studies implicated that all the field-collected permethrin resistant strains have developed diverse mechanisms of resistance, although these strains have been collected from the same geographic area. The change in resistance ratios of some strains by using PBO or DEF is discussed. It is of interest to note that because resistance to permethrin was not completely eliminated by DEF and PBO, it is likely that one or more additional mechanisms are involved in permethrin resistance in every strain studied.     

Note: Pyrethroid resistance and possible involvement of glutathione<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-transferases in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> from Turkey

An introductory study was conducted to investigate the pyrethroid resistance ofHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) strains in Turkey, collected from cotton fields in the Adana and Antalya provinces, through two different synthetic pyrethroid insecticides: lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate. In addition, the roles of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in this resistance mechanism were analyzed. It was found that whereas resistance ratios for lambda-cyhalothrin (LD₅₀ levels) were 3- and 98-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, esfenvalerate ratios were 3.3- and 92.3-fold increased in the Adana and Antalya strains, respectively, with respect to the susceptible strain. Furthermore, Adana and Antalya strains showed 2.4- and 2.9-fold higher GST activities than the susceptible strain, respectively. In the Antalya field strain, the minor increase in GST activity compared with the resistance levels implies that GSTs may be not greatly involved in this resistance. It also provides evidence that they could not be the only metabolic mechanism responsible for resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate inH. armigera from Turkey. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 16, 2006.     

Mutations in the sodium channel associated with pyrethroid resistance in the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum

BACKGROUND: Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood is an important pest of protected crops in temperate regions of the world. Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is long established in this species, but the molecular basis of the mechanism(s) responsible has not previously been disclosed. RESULTS: Mortality rates of three European strains of T. vaporariorum to the pyrethroid bifenthrin were calculated, and each possessed significant resistance (up to 662‐fold) when compared with a susceptible reference strain. Direct sequencing revealed three amino acid substitutions in the para‐type voltage‐gated sodium channel (the pyrethroid and DDT target site) of bifenthrin‐resistant T. vaporariorum at positions previously implicated with pyrethroid or DDT resistance (M918L, L925I and T929I) in other related species. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that resistance to bifenthrin in T. vaporariorum is associated with target‐site insensitivity, and that the specific mutations in the sodium channel causing resistance may differ between localities. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Laboratory evaluation of fipronil,a phenylpyrazole insecticide,against adult Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) and investigation of its possible cross‐resistance with dieldrin in Anopheles stephensi

Adult mosquitoes from two strains of Anopheles gambiae and from three strains of Anopheles stephensi were exposed to 0.25% fipronil‐treated papers in WHO test kits or to 500 mg fipronil m⁻² impregnated mosquito netting in bioassay spheres. For comparison, tests were also carried out with the pyrethroid permethrin, using the same methods and doses, and on papers treated with 0.4 and 4% of the cyclodiene insecticide dieldrin. Compared with the same doses of permethrin, fipronil showed less and delayed activity. Two of the An stephensi strains were resistant to fipronil and dieldrin. To investigate whether this was due to a resistance mechanism in the An stephensi strains acting against both insecticides, the most fipronil‐ and dieldrin‐tolerant strain was further selected in two separate lines with one of the insecticides, followed by tests with the insecticide that the line had not been selected with. This indicated a concomitant rise of resistance to dieldrin in the fipronil‐selected line and vice versa. Repeated back‐crossing of the two lines with a susceptible strain and re‐selection with either dieldrin or fipronil gave evidence for the involvement of a single resistance mechanism to both insecticides. Permethrin resistance in both lines declined with selection for dieldrin or fipronil and confirms the absence of cross‐resistance between fipronil and pyrethroids. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Efficacy of selected pesticides against synanthropic mites under laboratory assay

BACKGROUND: The efficacies of organophosphate pesticides, single‐compound versus multicompound pyrethroid formulations and relatively novel unclassified insecticides/acaricides were compared to find the lowest dosage and highest efficacy for the control of Dermatophagoides farina (Hughes), D. pteronyssinus (Trouessart) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Formulated active ingredients (AIs) were diluted in water and applied onto filter paper in experimental chambers with ten unsexed adult mites in six replicates. Mite mortality was checked after 24 h. The security index (SI) was calculated for all of the AIs by dividing the recommended rate by the LD₉₀ determined for each species. RESULTS: The tested organophosphates had high LD₉₀ and low SI values. The single‐compound pyrethroids were ineffective (deltamethrin and beta‐cyfluthrin) or had high LD₉₀ and low SI values (cyphenothrin, permethrin, pyrethrum and bifenthrin). The multicompound miticides had low LD₉₀ and high SI values which increased from deltamethrin/S‐bioallethrin to permethrin/S‐bioallethrin/piperonyl butoxide to permethrin/pyriproxyfen/benzyl benzoate. Abamectin, pyridaben, propargite and flufenoxuron were highly active against Dermatophagoides spp. Neem (Acarosan duo) was highly active against all mite species tested. CONCLUSION: The available formulations of multicompound pyrethroids (permethrin/S‐bioallethrin/piperonyl butoxide, permethrin/pyriproxyfen/benzyl benzoate), benzyl benzoate, neem and some field acaricides are effective in suppression of synanthropic mites in laboratory assays. Their LD₉₀ are lower than those of traditionally used organophosphates or single‐compound pyrethroid formulations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new aqueous suspension concentrate formulation of cis‐permethrin and its insecticidal activity

Isomers of pyrethroids usually have different insecticidal activities. Permethrin, a non‐cyano pyrethroid, is not an exception and cis‐permethrin is much more active than the trans‐isomer against Triatoma infestans, vector of Chagas' Disease in Argentina. The large‐scale separation of cis‐ and trans‐permethrin was performed by successive recrystallizations from ethanol‐water mixtures. An aqueous suspension concentrate (flowable) formulation of pure crystalline cis‐permethrin was prepared and assayed for its insecticidal activity on wood and ceramic surfaces against nymph V of T infestans. This formulation was at least three times more effective than deltamethrin, with LC₅₀ values on ceramic of 0.11 µg cm⁻² and 0.33 µg cm⁻² respectively. On wood surfaces, the LC₅₀ value was 0.57 µg cm⁻² compared with 3.20 µg cm⁻² for deltamethrin. Against other insect species such as Periplaneta americana, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, the suspension concentrate formulation of cis‐permethrin was, however, less effective than similar formulations of deltamethrin or β‐cypermethrin. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetic and biochemical studies of resistance to permethrin in a pyrethroid-resistant strain of the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

One or more weak factors of resistance on autosome 2, and barely detectable resistance on autosome 3, confer moderate resistance to several pyrethroids (5–13-fold) in the field-collected Ipswich strain of houseflies. In these flies, which unlike other pyrethroid-resistant strains lack kdr or super-kdr, pyrethroid resistance probably developed in response to prolonged treatment of buildings for animals with pyrethrins synergised with piperonyl butoxide. Substrains, isolated genetically from Ipswich flies and with resistance only on autosome 2, degraded permethrin more rapidly than susceptible flies and produced larger amounts of very polar metabolites. In this, they differed from flies with kdr or super-kdr which resembled susceptible flies in their metabolism of permethrin. NIA 16388 (propyl prop-2-ynyl phenylphosphonate) was a better synergist and reduced the metabolism of permethrin more than piperonyl butoxide in both the susceptible and resistant insects. The slight increase in synergism and minimal decrease in metabolism when piperonyl butoxide was applied with NIA 16388 indicated that the latter also inhibited detoxication that was sensitive to piperonyl butoxide.