Evaluation of larvicidal activity of esters of 4-mercapto-2-butenoic acid against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Publication date: September 2019Source: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, Volume 26, Issue 6Author(s): Marco Pezzi, Francesco Zamberlan, Milvia Chicca, Marilena LeisAbstractAedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), an aggressive and annoying vector of several arbovirus including Chikungunya and Zika, is a serious health problem worldwide. Control of this mosquito is difficult because of high adaptability, egg resistance to dehydration and ability to exploit many man-made microhabitats. The most effective strategy appears the control of larval population. Based on previous data showing a larvicidal effect of plant extracts containing sulfhydryl and isothiocyanate compounds, we evaluated by bioassays the toxicity of three synthetic esters of 4-mercapto-2-butenoic acid on larvae of A. albopictus in comparison to cypermethrin. Among the compounds tested, the most effective was n-octyl 4-mercapto-2-butenoate, about 5 times more effective than ethyl 4-mercaptobut-2-enoate and about 20 times more effective than menthyl 4-mercaptobut-2-enoate. We advance the hypothesis that the larvicidal properties of n-octyl 4-mercapto-2-butenoate are due to its hydrophobic alkyl chain, longer than that of the other two compounds. This chain confers to the molecule the ability to spread on water surface and interfere with larval respiration. The larvicidal activity of n-octyl 4-mercapto-2-butenoate against A. albopictus appears interesting and may be developed after toxicological evaluatio...
Source: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research