Premium
Pyrethrins elicit olfactory response and spatial repellency in Aedes albopictus
Author(s) -
Yan Ru,
Zhou Qiaoling,
Xu Zhanyi,
Wu Yuyan,
Zhu Guonian,
Wang Mengcen,
Guo Yirong,
Dong Ke,
Chen Mengli
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6390
Subject(s) - pyrethrum , piperonyl butoxide , aedes albopictus , biology , toxicology , pesticide , aedes aegypti , pharmacology , chemistry , botany , ecology , larva
BACKGROUND Pyrethrum from dry flowers of Chrysanthemum is a well‐known botanical insecticide and repellent. Its insecticidal activity attributes to its six insecticidal esters, collectively known as pyrethrins. Pyrethrins and its synthetic analogs pyrethroids exert their toxic action by modifying the function of voltage‐gated sodium channels. Aside from insecticidal activity, pyrethrum has also been used to repel mosquitoes for centuries. Today, pyrethrum continues to be used as an active ingredient in mosquito coils and other mosquito‐repellent devices globally. However, the mechanism of pyrethrum repellency remains largely unknown. RESULTS Here we report that pyrethrum vapor induced spatial (non‐contact) repellency in Aedes albopictus , a major vector of dengue and West Nile viruses. Using electroantennogram (EAG) recordings from adult antennae, we found that pyrethrum elicited EAG response in a dose‐dependent manner. We then isolated the six insecticidal esters, pyrethrins I and II, cinerins I and II, jasmolins I and II from pyrethrum extract and discovered that five of the six esters, except jasmolin I, all elicited EAG responses. Furthermore, pyrethrins I and II, cinerin II and jasmolin II induced repellency, whereas cinerin I and jasmolin I did not. CONCLUSION Of the six pyrethrins, four of them, pyrethrins I and II, cinerin II and jasmolin II, activate olfactory‐receptor neurons and elicit spatial repellency in Ae. albopictus . Our study provided a foundation for future structure–function studies of pyrethrins, their cognate olfactory receptors and efficacies of repellency and for the development of new and more effective mosquito repellents for controlling vector‐borne human diseases. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.