The Botanical Monoterpenes Linalool and Eugenol Flush-Out Nymphs of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Monoterpenes are the main components of essential oils. Some members of this chemical family present insecticidal activity. Triatoma infestans (Klug) is the main vector of Chagas disease in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Perú. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of six monoterpenes (1,8-cineole, eugenol, linalool, menthol, α-terpineol, and thymol) on the locomotor and flushing out activity of T. infestans. A video tracking technique was used to evaluate the locomotor activity of nymphs exposed to different concentrations of these chemicals applied as films on filter paper. Papers treated with acetone alone were used as negative controls, while solutions of tetramethrin were applied as positive controls. Only linalool and menthol produced hyperactivation. Flushing out was assessed under laboratory conditions using a standardized aerosolization method. All monoterpenes were applied at 1.5 g/m3. 1,8-Cineole, α-terpineol, and thymol flushed out 10% or less nymphs. The average flushing out produced by eugenol was 36.7%. Values of median flushing out time (FT50) could only be calculated for linalool and menthol (16.67 and 42.98 min, respectively). The FT50 value for the positive control tetramethrin (applied at 0.006 g/m3) was 8.29 min. Following these results, the flushing out activity of a mixture of linalool and eugenol was evaluated. The FT50 of this 2:1 linalool:eugenol mixture was 40.73 min. Finally, flushing out assays performed in semifield conditions showed similar results to those obtained at the laboratory.

Behavioral and toxicological responses of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to 10 monoterpene alcohols.

The effect on locomotor activity, the repellency, and the knock-down produced by 10 monoterpene alcohols were evaluated on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans, vectors of Chagas disease. A video tracking technique was used to evaluate locomotor activity and repellency by exposure to papers impregnated with monoterpenes. Eugenol on R. prolixus and (S)-cis-verbenol on T. infestans did not modify the locomotor activity. The remaining monoterpenes produced hyperactivity on both species, although the concentration required was at least a 1,000 times higher than that of deltamethrin (positive control). Carvacrol, eugenol, and geraniol resulted as repellent as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (positive control) for both species. A similar result was observed for almost every monoterpene on T. infestans. Knock-down effect was evaluated by exposing the nymphs in closed recipients. The order of increasing toxicity on R. prolixus was (KT50 values in min): geraniol (213.7) < alpha-terpineol (164.5) < linalool (124.2) < carvacrol (111.6) < eugenol (89.8) < thymol (78.9), and on T. infestans: alpha-terpineol (289.8) < eugenol (221.3) < carvacrol (164.2) < linalool (154.9) < thymol (96.7). All monoterpenes were less toxic than the positive control, dichlorvos (3.6 min for R. prolixus and 3.9 min for T. infestans). After 7 h of exposure, (-)-carveol, citronellol, and menthol (on both species) and geraniol (on T. infestans) produced < 50% of knock-down. After these results, it is worthwhile to explore more deeply the potential of these compounds as tools for controlling Chagas disease vectors.

Toxicity to vapor exposure and topical application of essential oils and monoterpenes on Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

The medical and veterinary pest Musca domestica L. has developed resistance to most insecticides used against it. For this reason, there is a constant search for new alternative control tools. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the toxicological effects caused by the fumigant activity and the topical application of five essential oils and five monoterpenes in M. domestica adult males and (2) to study the variation of the fumigant activity of the essential oils and monoterpenes according to the solvent used (acetone or a silicone base). Houses flies were exposed to vapors delivered by filter paper treated with 200 microl of essential oil or monoterpene (10%) in acetone or a silicone base. The knockdown time 50% (KT50) values obtained for essential oils (expressed in minutes) were 3.3 (eucalyptus); 10.1 (orange); 10.4 (mint); 10.9 (lavender); and 17.7 (geranium). The KT50 values obtained for monoterpenes (expressed in minutes) were 2.3 (eucalyptol); 7.5 (limonene); 7.6 (linalool); 19.0 (menthone); and 22.6 (menthyl acetate). In all cases, a delay in the onset of poisoning symptoms was observed when a silicone base vehicle was used. When topically applied, the lethal dose 50% (LD50) values for essential oils (expressed in micrograms of oil/insect) were 0.07 (geranium); 0.09 (mint); 0.13 (lavender); 0.14 (eucalyptus); and 0.16 (orange). The LD50 values for monoterpenes (expressed in micrograms of monoterpene/insect) were 0.04 (linalool); 0.09 (menthyl acetate); 0.10 (limonene); 0.11 (menthone); and 0.13 (eucalyptol). These results suggest that the studied essential oils and monoterpenes are potential tools for controlling M. domestica.

Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fumigant and repellent activity of five essential oils (from eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, mint, and orange oil) and seven monoterpenes (eucalyptol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, menthone, linalyl acetate, and menthyl acetate) on first-instar nymphs of the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl (vector of Chagas disease in several Latin American countries). Fumigant activity was evaluated by exposing the nymphs to the vapors emitted by 100 microl of essential oil or monoterpene in a closed recipient. The knockdown time 50% (KT50) for eucalyptus essential oil was 215.6 min (seven times less toxic than dichlorvos, a volatile organophosphorus insecticide used as a positive control). The remaining essential oils showed a poor fumigant activity: < 50% of nymphs were knocked down after 540 min of exposure. The KT50 values for monoterpenes, expressed in minutes, were as follows: 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). Eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic than dichlorvos. No affected nymphs were observed after 540 min of exposure to geraniol, linalyl acetate, or menthyl acetate. Repellency was quantified using a video tracking system. Two concentrations of essential oils or monoterpenes were studied (40 and 400 microg/cm2). Only mint and lavender essential oils produced a light repellent effect at 400 microg/cm2. Geraniol and menthyl acetate produced a repellent effect at both tested concentrations and menthone only elicited an effect at 400 microg/cm2. In all cases, the repellent effect was lesser than that produced by the broad-spectrum insect repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET).

Permethrin-resistant head lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae) in Argentina are susceptible to spinosad.

The insecticidal activity of spinosad was evaluated against susceptible and permethrin-resistant human lice. In a permethrin-susceptible strain of the body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus L. (Anoplura: Pediculidae), the toxicity of spinosad was similar to that established for permethrin, with an LD50 value of 1.2 ng/insect and 2.4 ng/insect, respectively. Topical application of spinosad to populations of permethrin-resistant head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae), showed that susceptibility to spinosad was independent of resistance to permethrin. The effectiveness of spinosad against human lice and the low mammalian toxicity reported in the literature suggest that spinosad could be useful for the management of permethrin-resistant human lice.

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.

Past and present of Chagas vector control and future needs

It presents a historical background, and information on insecticides used, insecticide formulation, innovative tools, insecticide resistance, and future needs. Document in pdf format; Acrobat Reader required.

Third instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus exposed to alpha-cyanopyrethroids: from hyperactivity to death.

The hyperactivity, incoordination, recovery, and mortality produced by four alpha-cyanopyrethroids usually used for Chagas disease vector control (beta-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin) were evaluated on third instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. All pyrethroids modified the locomotor activity of the nymphs, which increased linearly as a function of the log of insecticide concentration. lambda-Cyhalothrin showed the lowest values of Effective Concentration 50%, Lethal Concentration 50%, Effective Time 50%, and Lethal Time 50% when insecticides were applied by contact with treated filter papers. Recovery from incoordination was observed after topical application of the insecticides. The recovery was inhibited by the simultaneous application of piperonyl butoxide, suggesting that biotransformation by mixed-function microsomal oxidases is involved in the process of recovery.

Behavioral response of fifth instar nymphs of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to pyrethroids.

The hyperactivity (an increase in locomotor activity) and repellency produced by eight pyrethroids, applied as films on filter paper, were evaluated on fifth instar nymphs of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) using a video tracking technique. All the pyrethroids studied produced hyperactivity. As a trend, hyperactivity produced by cyanopyrethroids was higher than that produced by non-cyanopyrethroids. Hyperactivity was not observed when nymphs were pretreated with the sulphydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide before exposure to the pyrethroids. The eight pyrethroids failed to produce repellency. No repellency was also observed for the flowable formulation of deltamethrin at the concentration recommended for T. infestans control.

[The use of insecticide fumigant canister to protect an insectarium and its residual effect against triatomine bugs, in laboratory conditions]. / Emprego de pote fumígeno para proteção de insetário e sua ação residual contra triatomíneos, em condições de laboratório.

An insecticide fumigant canister based on synthetic pyrethroids and dichlorvos was employed against cockroaches and ants which were invading an insectarium used for rearing triatominae. After removal of the Triatominae, the canister was activated and found to kill all the invading insects within 48 hours. Possible residual action against triatomines was then monitored by a 24-hour exposure of eggs, nymphs and adults of Triatoma infestans, Panstrongylus megistus and Rhodnius neglectus in the treated insectarium. No ovicidal action was observed but some mortality of adults and nymphs of the three species was observed up to 72 hours after the fumigation.

Resistance to insecticides and effect of synergists on permethrin toxicity in Pediculus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) from Buenos Aires.

Permethrin-resistant colonies of Pediculus capitis (De Geer) from Buenos Aires were used to establish a resistance profile and to examine resistance mechanisms. All permethrin-resistant head lice (resistance ratio from 52.8 to > 88.7) were also resistant to d-phenothrin (resistance ratio from 40.86 to > 48.39) and deltamethrin (resistance ratio from 16.24 to 38.06). No cross-resistance to carbaryl was found in any of the pyrethroid-resistant P. capitis tested. Otherwise, all resistant colonies showed low to high levels of resistance to beta-cypermethrin. This pyrethroid had never been applied as a pediculicide in Argentina; however, the high level of resistance found in these permethrin-resistant colonies (resistance ratio from 9.74 to 50.97) demonstrated that pyrethroid cross-resistance occurred to this novel insecticide. Treatment with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) or triphenylphosphate (TPP) significantly decreased the toxicity of permethrin in the four colonies tested. The esterase inhibitor TPP produced lower enhancement of toxicity than the multifunction oxidase inhibitor PBO in the colonies having the highest resistance levels. Results presented here concerning the cross-resistance profile and synergism by enzyme inhibitors in permethrin-resistant head lice demonstrated that enhanced metabolism was involved in the pyrethroid resistance. However, the substantial degree of resistance that remained after synergism suggested the presence of another resistance mechanism. Cross-resistance to pyrethroid and susceptibility to the carbamate carbaryl suggested a common action mechanism.

Repellency of deet to nymphs of Triatoma infestans.

The repellency of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) to Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was evaluated using third-instar nymphs and a video tracking technique. Three experimental designs were used: (a) the test arena floor was divided into two halves, only one of which was treated with deet; (b) the arena floor was divided into an inner circle and an outer ring, only the latter treated with deet; (c) half of the test arena was covered by a filter paper roof treated with deet (out of reach of the nymphs). In all three types of experiment, a repellent effect was demonstrated proportional to the dose of deet. When a host (pigeon) was shielded by deet-treated gauze, the rate of blood-feeding by the nymphs was inhibited. Topical pre-treatment of the nymphs with N-ethylmaleimide, to block chemoreception, inhibited the repellency.

Insecticide resistance in Brazilian Triatoma infestans and Venezuelan Rhodnius prolixus.

Resistance levels to insecticides used in control of Chagas Disease vectors were assessed in two species of bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): Triatoma infestans (Klug) from Brazil and Rhodnius prolixus Stål from Venezuela. The resistance ratios, compared to susceptible laboratory strains, were determined by topical application bioassays. The T. infestans PA strain exhibited resistance ratios of 7x to deltamethrin, 3.6x to beta-cyfluthrin and 3.3x to cypermethrin, but was susceptible to beta-cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. Rhodnius prolixus CA strain showed resistance to all the pyrethroids evaluated, the resistance ratios ranging between 4.5x to lambda-cyhalothrin and 12.4x to cypermethrin. Deltamethrin resistance in both strains was decreased by piperonyl butoxide, suggesting oxidative metabolism as cause of resistance.

Susceptibility and resistance to insecticides of Chagas disease vectors.

Chemical control of Chagas disease vectors appears to be the best practical way to reduce the incidence of the disease. DDT was initially tested in the 1950s for the campaigns of control of Chagas disease vectors. Its low level of effectiveness against triatomine caused the failure of these control actions. HCH was then introduced in the southern cone and Dieldrin in the north of Latinoamerica. Starting in the late 1960s anticholinesterasic organophosphorus and carbamate compounds were introduced in the control of Chagas vectors. The use of pyrethroid compounds began in 1980. This family of insecticides is now the most important tool in triatomines control because of its favorable toxicological properties. Other types of insecticides also studied for Chagas vector control were the insect growth regulators and the antifeeding compounds. Because of the mode of action of these insecticides they are now considered just a potential complement of neurotoxic insecticides for integrated programmes of Triatomines control. Innovative formulations such as fumigant canister and insecticidal paints have been successfully developed in Latinoamerica with the World Health Organization support. Resistance to insecticides of triatomines is not yet a great problem in Chagas vectors. However, some resistant strains to pyrethroids have been found in Rhodnius prolixus from Venezuela and in Triatoma infestans from Brazil. Some cases of T. infestans incipient resistance to deltamethrin have been detected in Argentina. According to the control tools now available it is possible to expect the interruption of vector transmission of Chagas disease in the near future.

Laboratory studies of susceptibility and resistance to insecticides in Pediculus capitis (Anoplura; Pediculidae).

The susceptibility of local head lice to permethrin, sumithrin, deltamethrin, and carbaryl was determined by laboratory bioassays in field-collected colonies. Head lice collected from the infested heads of children 6-12 yr old were tested within 3 h of collection. The longest survival of control insects in the laboratory was obtained by keeping them in the dark at 18 degrees C and 70-80% RH. The base line susceptibility data obtained for insects collected from children not treated for lice, the reference colony, showed that deltamethrin caused the highest mortality of the insecticides tested (LC50, 0.06%). Permethrin, sumithrin, and carbaryl showed no significant difference in mortality (superposition of confidence intervals), being 10 times lower than that caused by deltamethrin. All field-collected lice required a higher LC50 of permethrin than the reference colony. Resistance levels varied from 3 to > 100 for colonies that were taken from children treated with anti-lice products. Lice colonies with permethrin resistance showed resistance to sumithrin and deltamethrin, but resistance was not observed to the carbamate carbaryl.

Induction of glutathione S-transferase activity in Triatoma infestans

Several synthetic pesticides and allelochemicals used to treat Triatoma infestans adults by topic application showed some degree to cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) induction. General inducers of detoxication systems such as phenobarbital and 3-methylcholantrene topically applied on T. infestans resulted in no GST induction. Meanwhile, general insecticide synergist such as piperonyl butoxide (160 µg/insect) increased the GST-activity in the range of 120-140 per cent. Insects injected with reduced glutathione (300 mg/insect) presented at the forth day elevated GST activity.

Incoordination, paralysis and recovery after pyrethroid treatment on nymphs III of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Symptoms of poisoning for deltamethrin and cis-permethrin on nymphs III of Triatoma infestans were described. The time required for incoordination and paralysis were determined. Deltamethrin was equal or more rapid in the onset of the first effect (accordingly to dose), and cis-permethrin in the onset of the second one. There were no significant differences between incoordination doses 50% (IncD50s) at different times for the two pyrethroids. They showed equivalent incoordination power, but the nymphs treated with deltamethrin recovered slightly more rapid and in greater amount than the nymphs treated with cis-permethrin. The recovery was inhibited by the simultaneous application of piperonyl butoxide. This result suggests that biotransformation by mixed-function microsomal oxidases are involved in the process of recovery.

[Evaluation of beta-cypermethrin for the control of Triatoma infestans]. / Evaluación de la beta-cipermetrina para el control de Triatoma infestans.

This study assessed the insecticidal effect in the laboratory and in the field of the new pyrethroid beta-cypermethrin against Triatoma infestans, the vector of Chagas disease, and compared it with that of deltamethrin. Comparison of the 50% lethal dosis (LD50) of both pyrethroids showed that beta-cypermethrin is more effective against the nymphs and that deltamethrin is more effective against the adults. Evaluation of the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of the flowable formulations of both insecticides, placed on different surfaces, showed that their effectiveness on glass is similar, while on a ceramic surface deltamethrin is slightly more effective. The flowable formulations of the two insecticides were tested in 100 infested homes in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Deltamethrin was applied at a surface concentration of 25 mg/m2 and beta-cypermethrin at 50 mg/m2. The real surface concentrations of these products were analyzed from filter paper samples placed on walls and ceilings. Gas chromatography revealed good agreement with the target concentrations. In addition, entomological assessments were carried out 60, 90, 180, and 365 days after the treatments. Infestations were found only during the last assessment: in the peridomiciliary area of 10% of the houses treated with beta-cypermethrin and in 7% of the houses treated with deltamethrin (6% in the peridomiciliary area and 1% inside the house). The results indicate that beta-cypermethrin's effectiveness in controlling T. infestans when applied at a concentration of 50 mg/m2 is similar to that of deltamethrin applied at a concentration of 25 mg/m2.