The effect of selected uv absorber compounds on the photodegradation of pyrethroid insecticides applied to cotton fabric screens

UV absorber compounds were tested to reduce the photolytic decomposition of deltamethrin, applied to 100 % cotton fabric, to be used as a target screen for tsetse fly control. In the absence of UV absorbers, over 90% of deltamethrin was degraded after 6 h irradiation under an Osram UV-sun radiation lamp (equivalent to 96 h sunlight) at 35(±1)°C. The degree of protection increased with increase in the proportion of the U V absorber compound. With a mixture of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (I) and deltamethrin (3 + 1, by mass) 7% of deltamethrin was degraded. Similarly, I protected alpha-cypermethrin and cyfluthrin against photolysis, I and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid (IV) both protected deltamethrin from “Glossinex 200” SC formulation against photolysis, but I was more effective than IV.     

Characteristics and implications of knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans westw. by deltamethrin

Low doses of deltamethrin cause prolonged knockdown of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans. Fifty per cent of female flies, treated with the LD₁₅-(48 h) of deltamethrin, failed to regain their capacity for normal flight for 30 h, compared with 6 h for bioresmethrin and 4 h for permethtin at the equivalent dose. Recovery after exposure to tetramethrin occurred within 1 h. The knockdown effect of deltamethrin on males was even more pronounced although, with both sexes, the onset of the effect was delayed for about 3 h. It is suggested that this prolonged knockdown effect of deltamethrin, at extremely low application rates, may make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the compound against the tsetse fly.     

Laboratory assessment of different methods of applying a commercial granular bait formulation of methomyl to control adult houseflies (Musca domestica l.) in intensive animal units

Female houseflies (Musca dornestica L.) from a susceptible and a multiinsecticide-resistant strain were used to evaluate the toxicity of a granular insecticide bait formulation of the carbamate insecticide methomyl. The bait was either applied to a polystyrene bait target, or scattered over the floor of the fly treatment cages. Targets were treated with methomyl granules dissolved in water with and without apaste carrier or the granules were applied directly to the target using an adhesive. Scattered methomyl granules proved the most effective of the various treatments assessed. Based on the KT₉₀ values, the most effective suspended bait treatments against susceptible or resistant flies were water as a carrier, and egg or ‘Lap’ wallpaper paste as adhesives; the least effective were ‘Polycell’ regular wallpaper paste as an adhesive and carboxymethylcellulose as a carrier. A proportion of flies from both the susceptible and the resistant strain recovered from knockdown; most of these lost their ability to fly (‘hoppers’) and subsequently survived the treatments. When bait targets treated with methomyl granules were fixed at right angles to the wall/floor junction of the treatment cages most of the recovered flies fed again on the bait and received a lethal dose. The mortality of flies exposed to suspended bait targets was influenced by the level of light. For both strains of fly, mortality decreased as the light intensity was lowered; this effect was more pronounced with the resistant strain. The implication of these results for the application of methomyl bait is discussed.     

A push–pull strategy to suppress stable fly (Diptera: Muscidae) attacks on pasture cattle via a coconut oil fatty acid repellent formulation and traps with m-cresol lures

BACKGROUND

Stable flies [Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)] are economically important pests of cattle and other livestock. As an alternative to conventional insecticides, we tested a push–pull management strategy using a coconut oil fatty acid repellent formulation and an attractant-added stable fly trap.

RESULTS

In our field trials we found that weekly applications of a push–pull strategy can reduce stable fly populations on cattle as well as a standard insecticide (permethrin). We also found that the efficacy periods of the push–pull and permethrin treatments following on-animal application were equivalent. Traps with an attractant lure used as the pull component of the push–pull strategy captured sufficient numbers of stable flies to reduce on-animal numbers by an estimated 17–21%.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first proof-of-concept field trial demonstrating the effectiveness of a push–pull strategy using a coconut oil fatty acid-based repellent formulation and traps with an attractant lure to manage stable flies on pasture cattle. Also notable is that the push–pull strategy had an efficacy period equivalent to that of a standard, conventional insecticide under field conditions. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Diversity and frequencies of genetic mutations involved in insecticide resistance in field populations of the house fly (Musca domestica L.) from China

Insecticides have been extensively used for house fly control in China, with dichlorvos and deltamethrin being widely used. Knowledge about the current status of insecticide resistance and the underlying genetic changes is crucial for developing effective fly control strategies. The susceptibility to dichlorvos and deltamethrin, and the frequencies of genetic mutations involved in insecticide resistance were studied in five field populations of the house fly collected across China. Bioassay results show that flies exhibit 14- to 28-fold resistance to dichlorvos and 41- to 94-fold resistance to deltamethrin, indicating that dichlorvos and deltamethrin resistance are common in house fly populations in China. Molecular analysis reveals that flies from the five various locations carry resistance alleles at multiple loci and have diverse allelic types, different relative frequencies and combinations of each allele. Four non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (i.e. V260L, G342A/V, F407Y) in acetylcholinesterase (Ace) and two mutations (W251L/S) in a carboxylesterase (MdαE7) were commonly present in the field house flies. The L1014H rather than L1014F mutation in the voltage sensitive sodium channel gene (Vssc) was widely distributed in Chinese house flies. CYP6D1v1, which confers pyrethroid resistance, was found in all the five tested populations in China, although its frequency in house fly from Shandong province was very low. Our results suggest that resistance monitoring and management of house flies should be customized for a given location.     

Susceptibility of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) exposed to commercial insecticides on painted and unpainted plywood panels

House flies were collected from dairies in New York state and the levels of resistance to commercially available insecticide formulations were measured on painted and unpainted plywood panels. Dimethoate was ineffective on all surfaces. The wettable powder permethrin formulation was more toxic than the emulsifiable concentrate formulation. The wettable powder cyfluthrin formulation was also more toxic than the recently developed liquid formulation. In general, the best house fly control was obtained on flat latex painted plywood panels and the poorest control on gloss latex painted panels. It is highly unlikely that producers obtain adequate control with dimethoate and permethrin.     

Oil formulation of pyrethroids for contamination of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) through tarsal contact with treated targets

Mosquito netting side panels of targets used for tsetse control were treated with lambda-cyhalothrin, either dissolved in a mixture of acetone and a chlorohydrocarbon oil, ‘Cereclor’® > (ICI, UK) or as a conventional wettable powder formulation suspended in water. Treated netting samples were weathered under natural conditions in full sun in Zimbabwe. Following brief tarsal contact of test insects (adults of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw.) with treated netting, the wettable powder induced 100% knockdown for four months after treatment but 24-hour mortality levels were reduced from the third month onwards. The oil formulation induced 100% knockdown for up to ten months following treatment and 100% mortality at 24 hours for up to eight months. Chemical assay showed that after two months there had been a rapid reduction in the amount of active ingredient to only 20% of that applied using the wettable powder, whereas the oil formulation took seven months to fall to this level. Provided that at least 5% of the original amount of pyrethroid remained on the fabric it was quite effective and the superiority of the oil formulation was further enhanced by the observation that the starting concentration was only 25% of that of the wettable powder.     

The requirement for the inclusion of formulation efficacy trials in pesticide preregistration evaluations

BACKGROUND: Optimization of biocide use could serve to reduce the risks of biocides on human health. To optimize the risk/benefit ratio, it is important to develop procedures for evaluating the efficacy of biocide formulations. The authors examined the effectiveness of ten pyrethroid insecticide aerosol formulations registered for the household control of flies. Tests were performed using adult Musca domestica L. Knockdown effects and mortality were measured in a test chamber using the manufacturer's recommended discharge time. RESULTS: The knockdown effect varied greatly between aerosols of similar composition. The knockdown 15 min post-treatment was 66-98% for flies placed 120 cm above floor level and 53-96% for flies placed at a height of 180 cm. The KDT(50) values ranged from 2.5 to 9.2 min for flies placed at 120 cm and from 3.2 to 12 min for flies placed at 180 cm. The highest rates of mortality were obtained for a formulation containing S-bioallethrin, permethrin and piperonyl butoxide (81% at 120 cm and 79% at 180 cm). CONCLUSION: Formulations similar in insecticide composition exhibit significant differences in efficacy. Consequently, insecticidal efficacy preregistration evaluations should address not only the efficacy of the active ingredient but also the effectiveness of the formulation.     

Further evaluation of permethrin for biting-fly control

Laboratory tests in a fly chamber and field trials in the UK and Australia have shown that permethrin, (3-phenoxybenzyl (1R,1S)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2, 2-dime-thylcyclopropanecarboxylate) containing 25: 75 cis: trans isomers, applied as water emulsions to cattle and horses will control biting flies. Satisfactory protection against the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) and excellent control against the horn fly, Haematobia (Lyperosia) irritans (L.) was achieved on cattle. Good control was obtained on horses against the stable fly and the sand fly Culicoides spp. These early results are encouraging and toxicity and residue data suggest that permethrin would be a safe insecticide to use on livestock for the control of biting flies of veterinary importance.     

Toxicity of insecticides to the tsetse fly,Glossina palpalis palpalis in Nigeria and comparison of tolerances in 1974–1975 and 1979–1982

Abstract

Toxicities o1 12 chemical insecticides to wild‐caught tsetse flies, Glossina palpalis palpalis in Nigeria were measured by topical application. Median lethal doses (as ng per fly) at 48 h after application for older flies, males (females), were: DDT 331 (700), dieldrin 14 (46), endosulfan 8 (15), malathion 193 (273), fenitrothion 47, pirimiphos methyl 31 (45), tetrachlorvinphos 14 (33), sumicidin 28 (58), neopynamin 12 (15), sumithrin 10 (8), permethrin 4.4 (5.9), deltamethrin 0.45 (0.94). Lethality expressed as dose per whole fly can be termed effective toxicity/tolerance and those expressed as dose per weight unit of fly can be termed intrinsic (or true) toxicity/tolerance. Generally, effective tolerance was greater for females than males, especially for older flies. However, intrinsic tolerance was often about equal for the sexes or greater for males. Regardless of sex, effective tolerance increased with increasing fly age and intrinsic tolerance increased during later ageing but not during early ageing. This suggested that protecting mechanisms developed during ageing. Flies fed a few hours before treatment in 1979–1982 were more tolerant of three organochlorines and three organophosphates than flies fed the day before treatment in 1974–1975, probably due to diversion of poisons from sites of action into inert undigested blood. However, results and statistical analysis suggested a slight increase in true tolerance of males to DDT during the intervening years. Continued monitoring of tolerance in the fly populations is recommended.     

Residual insecticides for use against tsetse flies in Rhodesia

Abstract

Since an insecticide laboratory was built in the Zambesi Valley in 1966, research has been conducted to find the cheapest method of effectively controlling tsetse flies in Rhodesia. This article describes how the results will enable the spraying costs to be cut considerably this year.     

Supervised control of the carrot fly in the Netherlands; insights from a dirty dataset1

‘De Groene Vlieg’ (the Green Fly) is an independent company offering various services concerning integrated pest management in open field agriculture in the Netherlands. One such service is the supervised control of carrot fly (Psila rosae). From 1993 to 2008 the company has monitored the carrot fly population on a total of nearly 65 000 hectares resulting in an extensive dataset. The data was not collected according to proper experimental methods, hence it is titled dirty, but the size of the dataset does allow valuable insights to be gained. De Groene Vlieg monitors the carrot fly population on each field separately. Sticky traps are collected weekly and flies are counted in the laboratory. Growers receive messages containing advice regarding when to apply insecticides and they are responsible for doing so. Overall, over a third of the fields require no spraying at all and for 75% of the fields growers are advised to spray three times or less. One insight from the dataset is that small carrots require more insecticide treatments than large carrots (‘winter carrots’). Reasons for this difference are probably both regional and cultural. Additionally, focusing on a small and uniform area reveals that carrot fly population dynamics are highly variable between years. Another insight is that sowing date has a large effect on the number of insecticide sprayings that are required. Fields sown before the first flight have more flies in the second flight than fields sown later. Comparison of biological and conventional carrot fields shows that carrot fly populations are similar for the first flight. However, during the second flight the number of flies is much higher on organic fields than on conventional ones. Finally, insecticide seed treatment with chlorfenvinphos to control the reproduction of the first flight appears slightly more efficient than supervised control. However, supervised control seems as efficient as seed treatment with clothianidin and beta cyfluthrin.     

Photoprotection for deltamethrin using chitosan-coated beeswax solid lipid nanoparticles

BACKGROUND: In the natural environment, photodegradation is one of the most common degradative processes of pesticides. In order to reduce the photodegradation of pesticides, and so increase their killing activity against target pests, chitosan‐coated beeswax solid lipid nanoparticles (CH‐BSLNs) were prepared by a combination of hot homogenization and sonication, with deltamethrin as an active ingredient. RESULTS: Under optimal conditions, the highest encapsulation efficiency (95%) and a high payload of deltamethrin (approximately 12.5%) were achieved. In direct photolysis, in the case of CH‐BSLNs after UV irradiation for 24 h, 37.3% of deltamethrin remained, as opposed to only 14.6% of the free‐form deltamethrin. In addition, in indirect photolysis, in the case of CH‐BSLNs after UV irradiation for 2 h in 2% acetone solution, approximately 74.5% of deltamethrin remained, as opposed to only 37.6% of the free‐form deltamethrin. CONCLUSION: CH‐BSLNs showed good protection for deltamethrin against photodegradation. This novel nanocarrier may be useful in crop protection as an economical strategy to enhance the effect of pesticides in the field and protect the environment as well. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Passive transfer of humoral resistance against adults of the tsetse fly, Glossina palpalis palpalis (Diptera, Glossinidae), in rabbits

The possibility of passive transfer of rabbit humoral immunity against tsetse fly bites was investigated for the first time. Partial immunity of recipient animals was achieved after two intravenous injections of 15 ml of serum from immunized (donor) rabbits during 48 hrs. This treatment induced an apparent increase of resistance in the passively immunized group of rabbits expressed as direct mortality ("killing effect") of sucking flies within the following 72 hr period. The immunological state of immune sera of both donors and recipients was examined by ELISA, using the water-soluble proteins of tsetse salivary glands as antigen. No direct correlation between the titre of antibodies and the killing of Glossina was detected. These results indicate that these antibodies were not the only humoral factor responsible for tsetse mortality since their titre did not substantially change in the course of 7 days while the "killing effect" had disappeared from the recipient's blood within 72 hrs.     

Metabolism and degradation of the pyrethroids tralomethrin and tralocythrin in insects

Tralomethrin and tralocythrin undergo debromination, forming deltamethrin and cypermethrin, respectively, following topical administration to house flies, feeding to cabbage looper larvae, or incubation with house fly homogenates and cockroach nerve cords. The debromination is probably not an enzymatic process since it occurs rapidly on incubation with glutathione, cysteine, and albumin. Following debromination, an esterase(s) in house fly homogenate hydrolyzes delta-methrin and cypermethrin. The insecticidal activity of tralomethrin and tralocythrin may be due in part to the liberation of deltamethrin and cypermethrin in the insect or its nervous system.     

New Experience with Formulations for ULV Application1

For economical and environmental reasons, new application methods and formulations of pesticides are continually being tested. Amongst the application methods, aerial ULV spraying is becoming more and more important. There are two main fields for aerial ULV application: crop and non-crop spraying. Non-crop spraying is widely used for locust, mosquito and tsetse control. ULV formulations used for these purposes must be specially designed due to the extraordinary conditions in which they are applied. The choice of solvent, which should have a certain dissolving power, will determine the viscosity, volatility and phytotoxicity of the formulation. Because the positive and negative physical properties of the available solvents are sometimes inversely related, a suitable formulation is always a compromise. As an example, the physical properties of two endosulfan ULV formulations for crop spraying and non-crop spraying (tsetse control) are discussed.     

Evaluation of different formulations of deltamethrin in comparison with permethrin for impregnation of netting

Five formulations of deltamethrin and one of permethrin were impregnated into cotton and nylon netting and tested for their efficacy and persistence in killing Anopheles gambiae Giles which were attempting to penetrate the netting in search of blood meals. Emulsifiable concentrates persisted better than wettable powders of deltamethrin, and all the deltamethrin formulations performed better than permethrin, even though the latter was applied at an eight times higher dose. The insecticidal effect of both compounds persisted better on nylon than on cotton; it was adversely affected by repeated washing.     

Monitoring insecticide resistance in house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) from New York dairies

House flies were collected from dairies across New York state and the levels of resistance to seven insecticides were measured using standard laboratory assays with three to five diagnostic concentrations. The highest levels of resistance were found for tetrachlorvinphos, permethrin and cyfluthrin. Although levels of resistance to methomyl were somewhat lower, they were among the highest ever reported for field‐collected house flies. Resistance to pyrethrins was limited primarily to the lowest diagnostic concentration. House flies were susceptible to fipronil at all dairies, suggesting that this material would be highly effective for fly control. The levels of resistance were similar at all the dairies, irrespective of their insecticide use, suggesting substantial movement of flies between facilities. Relative to resistance levels found at New York dairies in 1987, resistance levels had increased for permethrin, were unchanged for tetrachlorvinphos and had decreased for dimethoate. To identify a single diagnostic concentration that could be used in the laboratory assays to assess accurately resistance levels in future studies, we carried out a ‘simulated’ field bioassay using formulated materials. A diagnostic concentration for each insecticide is proposed on the basis of a comparison of our bioassays. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Some experiments with different formulations of organophosphorus insecticides as seed dressings to control wheat bulb fly (Leptohylemyia coarctata)

Experiments on the control of wheat bulb fly larvae by seed dressings compared four organophosphorus compounds in standard siliceous earth formulations with special formulations of the same compounds in polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene or wax. The special formulations allowed more insecticide to be placed on the seeds without affecting germination. Counting shoots damaged by wheat bulb fly larvae showed that: siliceous earth formulations of diazinon gave good control which was not improved by special formulations; control with siliceous earth formulations of dimethoate was poor and was improved only little by the special formulations; and control with siliceous earth formulations of parathion and dichlofenthion was moderate and was improved by special formulations, especially polyvinyl acetate and polypropylene. The results suggest that special formulations are of most value with compounds that are moderately effective but where the amount of insecticide in standard seed dressings cannot be increased without damaging the plants.     

Assessing the performance against houseflies of indoor aerosol space sprays. Part I. Factors examined during tests with houseflies in free flight

The development of a mathematical model which, by quantifying the interaction of a population of houseflies with an ageing spray cloud, is capable of predicting the knockdown and kill performance of insecticidal aerosol formulations shown against houseflies, Musca domestica L., will be presented in a series of four separate papers. In this first paper, measurements were made of insecticide collected by houseflies during free flight using a standard room-spray technique. With pressure-packed aerosol formulations where the solvent is the principal change, it was shown that both knockdown and mortality responses of the insects were directly related to dose collected. The process of droplet collection was most significantly influenced by their size and availability, dependent upon the time after spraying, the position of insect release and the activity of individual adult M. domestica. The knockdown or mortality response of the insect to given amounts of insecticide was largely unaffected by the remaining solvent, although, with mineral oil, some inhibition was noted at low mortality levels. The amount of insecticide accumulated by houseflies in their initial flight was of prime importance in determining the overall effect. Flies remaining not knocked down at the end of the exposure period were shown to be so because they had accumulated less toxicant and not necessarily because they were more tolerant of the insecticide. The establishment of a relationship between the number of flies in flight and time after release has provided a key function for incorporation into the model.