Efficacy of commercial synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates associations used to control Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in Southern Brazil / Eficácia de associações comerciais entre piretroides sintéticos e organofosforados utilizados no controle de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus na Região Sul do Brasil

Abstract This study evaluated the acaricidal efficiency of synthetic pyrethroids (SP) associated with organophosphates (OP) against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus populations in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Ticks were collected in 54 cattle farms and tested using in vitro adult immersion test against four commercially available acaricide mixtures of SP and OP. Only one of four acaricides, comprising a mixture of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and fenthion, had a mean efficiency higher than 95%, and was effective in 94.44% (51/54) of the cattle farms tested. The acaricide with a mixture of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and citronelall had the lowest mean efficiency (62.11%), and was effective in 29.62% (16/54) of cattle farms tested. Furthermore, R. (B.) microplus in Southern Brazil exhibited differing degrees of resistance to SP and OP mixtures. The results suggest that the presence of fenthion contributes to the higher efficiency of the formulation with this active principle. This is possibly due to its recent commercial availability, as tick populations have been lower challenged with this product. Monitoring the resistance of ticks to carrapaticides is essential to maximize the efficiency of these products in the control of R. (B.) microplus.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a eficiência acaricida de piretroides sintéticos (SP) associados a organofosforados (OP) sobre populações de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Carrapatos foram coletados em 54 fazendas de bovinos, testados in vitro pelo teste de imersão de teleóginas, contra quatro associações acaricidas comercialmente disponíveis de SP e OP. Apenas um dos quatro acaricidas, constituído por associação de cipermetrina, clorpirifós e fenthion, teve eficiência média superior a 95%, sendo eficaz em 94,44% (51/54) das fazendas testadas. O acaricida com associação de cipermetrina, clorpirifós e citronelal teve menor eficiência média (62,11%), sendo efetivo em 29,62% (16/54) das fazendas testadas. Além disso, o R. (B.) microplus no sul do Brasil, apresentou diferentes graus de resistência às associações de SP e OP. Os resultados sugerem que a presença do fenthion contribui para a maior eficiência da formulação com esse princípio ativo. Possivelmente, isso ocorre em função da sua recente introdução no mercado, já que as populações de carrapatos foram pouco desafiadas com este produto. Monitorar a resistência dos carrapatos aos carrapaticidas é fundamental para maximizar a eficiência desses produtos no controle de R. (B.) microplus.

Insecticidal action of synthetic girgensohnine analogues and essential oils on Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) / Acción insecticida de análogos sintéticos de girgensohnina y de aceites esenciales sobre Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The alkaloid girgensohnine has been used as a natural model in the synthesis of new alkaloid-like alpha-aminonitriles with insecticidal effect against disease vectors. Objective: To evaluate the biocide activity of girgensohnine analogues and essential oils of Cymbopogon flexuosus, Citrus sinensis and Eucalyptus citriodora in stage I and stage V Rhodnius prolixus nymphs. Materials and methods: We used a topical application model in tergites and sternites, as well as exposure to treated surfaces with different exploratory doses of each of the molecules and essential oils to determine the lethal doses (LD50 and LD95). Results: Analogue 3 showed the highest insecticidal activity with 83.3±16.7% of mortality when applied on tergites, 38.9±4.8% on sternites and 16.7±0% on treated surfaces in stage I nymphs at 72 hours (h) and 500 mg.L-1. In stage V nymphs, the compounds induced mortality only in sternums (11.1±9.6% for analogue 6 and 5.5±4.7% for analogues 3 and 7 at 72 h and 1500 mg.L-1). The lethal doses for molecule 3 on tergites in stage I nymphs were LD50 225.60 mg.L-1 and LD95 955.90 mg.L-1. The insecticidal effect of essential oils was observed only in stage I nymphs, with 11.1±4.8% for C. flexuosus when applied in sternites, while using exposure to surfaces treated it was 5.6±4.8% for C. sinensis applied on tergites and 8.3±0% on sternites at 72 h and 1000 mg.L-1. Conclusion: Synthetic girgensohnine analogues, and C. flexuosus and C. sinensis essential oils showed insecticidal activity in R. prolixus. Analogue 3 showed the greatest insecticidal activity among all molecules and oils evaluated under our laboratory conditions.

RESUMEN Introducción. El alcaloide natural girgensohnina se ha usado como modelo en la síntesis de nuevos análogos de alcaloidales alfa-aminonitrílicos con efecto insecticida en vectores de enfermedades. Objetivo. Evaluar la actividad biocida de análogos de girgensohnina y de aceites esenciales de las plantas Cymbopogon flexuosus, Citrus sinensis y Eucalyptus citriodora en ninfas de estadios I y V de Rhodnius prolixus. Materiales y métodos. Se empleó la aplicación tópica en terguitos, esternitos y superficies tratadas con diferentes dosis exploratorias de cada una de las moléculas y aceites esenciales para determinar las dosis letales (LD50 y LD95). Resultados. El análogo 3 tuvo la mayor actividad insecticida, con una mortalidad de 83,3±16,7% en los terguitos, de 38,9±4,8 % en los esternitos y de 16,7±0 % a las 72 horas en ninfas de estadioI expuestas a superficies tratadas y 500 mg.L-1. En las ninfas de estadio V solo se presentó mortalidad en los esternitos (11,1±9,6 % con el análogo 6 y 5,5±4,7 % con los análogos 3 y 7 a las 72 h y 1.500 mg.L-1). Las dosis letales para la molécula 3 en los terguitos de ninfas de estadio I fueron las siguientes: DL50, 225,60 mg.L-1 y DL95, 955,90 mg.L-1. En cuanto a los aceites esenciales, el efecto insecticida solo se presentó con C. flexuosus (11,1±4,8%) en los esternitos de ninfas de estadio I expuestas a superficies tratadas; con C. sinensis (5,6±4,8%) en los terguitos y en los esternitos (8,3±0%) a las 72 horas y 1.000 mg.L-1. Conclusión. Los análogos sintéticos del alcaloide girgensohnina y los aceites esenciales de C. flexuosus y C. sinensis exhibieron actividad insecticida en R. prolixus. El análogo 3 exhibió la mayor actividad insecticida de todas las moléculas evaluadas bajo las condiciones de laboratorio.

A potent larvicidal agent against Aedes aegypti mosquito from cardanol

ABSTRACT Cardanol is a constituent of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid that presents larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. The isolation of cardanol is somewhat troublesome, however, in this work we describe an efficient and inexpensive method to obtain it as a pure material. The compound was used as starting material to make chemical transformation leading to saturated cardanol, epoxides and, halohydrins. These derivatives were tested for toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae. The results showed that iodohydrins are very promising compounds for making commercial products to combat the vector mosquito larvae presenting a LC50 of 0.0023 ppm after 72 h of exposure.

Role of synthetic pyrethroids in vector control.

The role of synthetic pyrethroids in vector control has been reviewed in the light of available literature. Various reports on field and laboratory trials indicate the safety and effectiveness of synthetic pyrethroids against vectors of public health importance without any untoward effect on non-target organisms. The prospects of these insecticides in the vector control have been discussed with cautious optimism.