The main component of the scent of Senecio madagascariensis flowers is an attractant for Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes.

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the main vectors of arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. It almost exclusively inhabits urban areas. Both sexes feed on plant carbohydrates, although for males, this is their only food source. In the case of floral nectars, mosquitoes locate plant sugar sources assisted by volatile compounds. In this work, we found that the floral scent of Senecio madagascariensis elicited a behavioral response in males; therefore, we focused on identifying the volatiles emitted by these flowers. The terpenes (±)-α-pinene, ß-pinene, sabinene, and phellandrene and 1-alkenes 1-undecene, and 1-nonene were identified. To determine which compounds are bioactive, pure synthetic lures were assessed using an olfactometer. Only the main compound 1-nonene was an attractant for males. Since our goal was the introduction of synthetic floral-based attractants in toxic sugar-baited traps, we formulated 1-nonene in solid paraffin and stearin matrices to obtain a controlled release system. The bioassay with a toxicological end point showed that the incorporation of a feeding attractant to the toxic sugar trap increased overall mortality. These results suggest that it is possible to use plant volatile compounds or flower cuttings as male Ae. aegypti attractants to improve the efficacy of baited traps.

The Attractivity of the Head Louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Pediculidae: Anoplura) to Isolated Compounds and Blends of Human Skin.

Human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are ectoparasites that cause pediculosis, a global scale disease mainly found in school-age children. Previous works from our laboratory found nonanal, sulcatone, and geranylacetone as the main human scalp volatile components, and individually evaluated their attraction to head lice using an olfactometer. In this work, we compared how their blends at different concentrations attract head lice, and how their blended effect compares to the effect of isolated compounds. At the concentrations evaluated, individual components did not show attraction towards head lice, but a ternary mixture of them was attractive. Moreover, a solvent extract from the human head scalp was analyzed by GC-MS, finding that tetradecanoic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and squalene are the most abundant components. Attraction to these individual compounds at natural concentrations was tested by bioassays in a circular experimental arena. No attraction was observed when the components were tested individually, but when they were evaluated as a blend they attracted head lice. This work presents new information about how chemical signals are attractive at certain concentrations and proportions. This information could be used to better understand communication mechanisms in head lice and for the development of louse repellents.

Head Louse Feces: Chemical Analysis and Behavioral Activity.

Human head lice Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are insect parasites closely associated with humans, feeding on the blood of their hosts and causing them skin irritation and probable secondary infections. Despite being a severe nuisance, very few studies have reported on intraspecific chemical communication in head lice. Here, we evaluated the attractive response of head lice to the volatile compounds and solvent extracts from their feces. We also chemically analyzed the main volatile components of these feces and those of the feces' extracts. Head lice were attracted to the methanol extract of their feces but not to the hexane or dichloromethane extracts, suggesting the polar nature of bioactive chemicals present in head louse feces. Follow-up chemical identifications, in fact, showed the presence of hypoxanthine, uric acid, and another purine tentatively identified as either guanine or iso-guanine. Additionally, head lice were significantly attracted by volatiles emitted from samples containing feces. The volatiles emanated from feces alone contained 19 identified substances: 2-pentanone, hexanal, heptanal, 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol, octanal, sulcatone, nonanal, acetic acid, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, decanal, 1-octanol, butyric acid, 1-nonanol, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, 2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol, 2-undecanone, geranylacetone, and hexadecane. The major compounds found were decanal, nonanal, hexanal, and acetic acid, together representing approximately 60% of the identified compounds. This work represents the first chemical evidence of intraspecies communication among head lice. The results support the existence of active substances present in the feces of P. humanus capitis that may be involved in its aggregation behavior.

Response of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) to Volatiles of Whole and Individual Components of the Human Scalp.

The head louse Pediculus humanus capitis (De Geer) (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) is a cosmopolitan human ectoparasite causing pediculosis, one of the most common arthropod parasitic conditions of humans. The mechanisms and/or chemicals involved in host environment recognition by head lice are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated the response of head lice to volatiles that emanate from the human scalp. In addition, we identified the volatile components of the odor and evaluated the attractive or repellent activity of their pure main components. The volatiles were collected by means of Solid Phase microextraction and the extract obtained was chemically analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Twenty-four volatile were identified in the human scalp odor, with the main compounds being the following: nonanal, sulcatone, geranylacetone, and palmitic acid. Head lice were highly attracted by the blend human scalp volatiles, as well as by the individual major components. A significant finding of our study was to demonstrate that nonanal activity depends on the mass of the compound as it is repellent at high concentrations and an attractant at low concentrations. The results of this study indicate that head lice may use chemical signals in addition to other mechanisms to remain on the host.

Effect of Environmental Conditions and Toxic Compounds on the Locomotor Activity of Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae).

In this work, we evaluated the effect of environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and light on the locomotor activity of Pediculus humanus capitis. In addition, we used selected conditions of temperature, humidity, and light to study the effects of cypermethrin and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) on the locomotor activity of head lice. Head lice increased their locomotor activity in an arena at 30°C compared with activity at 20°C. When we tested the influence of the humidity level, the locomotor activity of head lice showed no significant differences related to humidity level, both at 30°C and 20°C. Concerning light influence, we observed that the higher the intensity of light, the slower the movement of head lice. We also demonstrated that sublethal doses of toxics may alter locomotor activity in adults of head lice. Sublethal doses of cypermethrin induced hyperactivated responses in adult head lice. Sublethal doses of DEET evocated hypoactivated responses in head lice. The observation of stereotyped behavior in head lice elicited by toxic compounds proved that measuring locomotor activity in an experimental set-up where environmental conditions are controlled would be appropriate to evaluate compounds of biological importance, such as molecules involved in the host-parasite interaction and intraspecific relationships.

Insecticidal activity of individual and mixed monoterpenoids of geranium essential oil against Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae).

The major components of geranium (Geranium maculatum L.) oil and their mixtures were tested against female Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). Chemical analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry revealed four major constituents: citronellol (38%), geraniol (16%), citronellyl formate (10.4%), and linalool (6.45%) (concentration expressed as percentage of total). Topical application demonstrated that the most potent component was citronellol and geraniol, with LD50 values 9.7 and 12.7 microg/insect, respectively. Linalool and Citronellyl formate were less toxic with LD50 values 24.7 and 38.5 microg/insect, respectively. Toxicity of these four major constituents in the same proportion as the natural oil, was greater than whole oil and each individual component. Removal of any four constituents produced a decreased in effectiveness. The absence of citronellol caused the greatest decrease in toxicity (DL50 from 2.2 to 10.9 microg/insect), leading us to conclude that this constituent is the major contributor to oil toxicity. The knowledge of the role of each constituent in the toxicity of the whole oil gives the possibility to create artificial blends of different constituents for the development of more effective control agents.

Volatile compounds secreted by Brindley's glands of adult Triatoma infestans: identification and biological activity of previously unidentified compounds.

Volatile emissions of adult male Triatoma infestans were collected on non-polar SPME fibers and analyzed by gas chromatography linked to a mass spectrometer. A complex mixture of 16 short-chain esters and acids were identified. The composition of short-chain aliphatic acids (ethanoic to nonanoic acids) was similar to previously reported results. The most abundant aliphatic acid was 2-methylpropanoic acid, constituting 18% of the total volatile content. Also abundant were the esters 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate, which constituted 30% and 22%, respectively, of the total volatile content. A similar pattern of compounds was observed in the volatiles secreted by dissected male Brindley's glands; however, in this case, 2- and 3-methylbutan-1-ol were detected which were not found in live insect volatile emissions. Large variability in volatile composition was also observed among the glands excised from different insects. Electroantennographic (EAG) evaluation of the components of Brindley's gland showed significant responses for 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate compared to controls. The mixture of volatiles secreted by excised Brindley's glands and the isolated 2- and 3-methylbutyl 2-methylpropanoate had repellent effects on both male and female T. infestans, possibly associated with a defensive strategy.

Increased monooxygenase activity associated with resistance to permethrin in Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) from Argentina.

We studied the profile of permethrin resistance in populations of head lice infesting children 6-12 yr old in schools and their homes in and around Buenos Aires, Argentina. Five permethrin-resistant populations with different levels of resistance were collected: Hogar Loyola (HL), Republica de Turquia (RT), Hogar Mitre (HM), Guardia de Honor (GH), and Ricardo Guiraldes (RG). One susceptible population, Bandera Argentina (BA), also was collected. Their level of resistance was evaluated, and results showed resistance ratios of 13 for HL, 16 for RT, 22 for HM, 61 for GH, and 69 for RG. To elucidate the possible involvement of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system in conferring permethrin resistance, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) activity was measured in abdomens of individual third instars and adults by using a fluorometric assay. The ECOD activity was lower in the susceptible BA population (4.7 ng per louse) than in the resistant ones (13.7 ng per louse for RG, 12.3 ng per louse for GH, 8.6 ng per louse for RT, and 8.2 ng per louse for HL). ECOD activity was significantly correlated with the level of resistance in the field populations (r = 0.97, P = 0.0009), suggesting a role for cytochrome monooxygenase P450 system in permethrin resistance by head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer.

Prevalence and levels of permethrin resistance in Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae) from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Permethrin has been used extensively for control of Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae) in Argentina since 1990, resulting in the development of resistance to this and other pyrethroids. This resistance was first detected in some field populations in 1997. A survey for resistance in Buenos Aires in 2001 revealed significant resistance levels in lice on children at 24 of 26 (92.3%) schools. When compared with a previously unexposed reference population, resistance ratios (RRs) obtained by exposing the insects to filter papers impregnated with permethrin ranged from 2 to 60 in 10 (39%) of the schools. RRs in the remaining 14 (61%) populations were too great to not be measured with the filter paper method (RR > 88.7). As an alternative, we used topical applications of 0.1 microl of acetone solution of permethrin on the dorsal abdomen of adults and third instars. This topical method, which has not been previously reported for head lice, was capable of quantifying higher levels of resistance. Highly resistant populations had RRs from 162.5 to 655.2. When applied to populations with low and intermediate levels of resistance, results from the filter paper and topical application methods were highly correlated, and RRs from topical application were higher than those from the filter paper method. Results from the combination of the two methods indicated that head lice among Buenos Aries school children are highly resistant to permethrin, and the resistance is widespread.

Toxic effect of aliphatic alcohols against susceptible and permethrin-resistant Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae).

The effectiveness of 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, 1-decanol, 1-undecanol, and 1-dodecanol was evaluated by immersion method against susceptible and permethrin-resistant head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. All the tested alcohols showed knockdown effect at 10 min and mortality 18 h after treatment. The highest activity was found for the 1-dodecanol (KC50 2.55%, LC50 2.28%) and the lowest for 1-octanol (KC50 8%, LC50 4.46%). The toxicity to the head lice systematically increased with the increase in carbon atoms in the n-aliphatic alcohol moiety, and with the octanol:water coefficient (r2 = 0.94). The pediculicidal activity of 1-dodecanol was not correlated with resistance to permethrin, because no significant difference was observed between toxicity parameters in the susceptible (MAR) and the permethrin-resistant populations which had different resistant levels (RR 5.77 x for E49 population, RR 9.5 x for HL population and RR > 35.3 x for GH population). The pediculicidal effect of aliphatic alcohols demonstrated in this study and the lack of correlation with the permethrin resistance may prove to have a practical value for use in susceptible and permethrin-resistant head lice control.

Synthesis and bioactivity of new phosphorodithioates derived from N-substituted maleamic esters.

1. A new series of organophosphorus compounds derived from N-substituted maleamic esters by reaction with dimethyl and diethyl phosphorodithioic acid was synthesized. 2. Two isomers, with chemical structures analogous to malathion were obtained for each maleamic ester assayed. 3. They were characterized, and their toxicity against a resistant strain of Musca domestica (strain G), a susceptible one (strain RAC) and Triatoma infestans (vector of Chagas' disease) were measured. 4. The structural chemical modification introduced by replacing a carboxyester group for a N-substituted amido one, reverted the resistance obtained for malathion. 5. Replacement of methyl by ethyl dithiophosphoric acid did not introduce significative differences. 6. In the case of Triatoma infestans, the synthesized compounds were less active than malathion.