The objective was to quantify sublethal effects of two insecticides on the common damsel bug, a major predator in alfalfa. Groups of 2-day-old adult nabids were exposed for 12 h to filter paper treated with LC₅ or LC₄₅ carbofuran, or LC₅ or LC₂₅ methidathion. Males that survived the 4-day acute mortality period lived only 60 percent as long as control males, with low and high concentrations of insecticides producing similar decreases in longevity. More females who survived acute exposure to methidathion were missing portions of appendages at the time of death than in the controls. Although larger pronotal width was related to increased female longevity, to increased egg production, and to increased progeny production, exposure to insecticide had no consistently positive or negative effect. Pretreatment refrigeration affected neither postexposure longevity nor total eggs laid by females. Second instar nabids were exposed for 12 h on filter paper treated with LC₁₅ or LC₃₅ carbofuran, or LC₀ or LC₅ methidathion. Female nymphs which survived exposure to LC₃₅ carbofuran reached the 3rd instar more quickly than control nymphs, whereas methidathion tended to slow development to the 3rd instar. Neither insecticide significantly affected the duration of the 3rd-5th instars. While carbofuran reduced the longevity of adults compared to controls, methidathion only reduced the longevity of the LC₀ group compared to the LC₅ group. Although LC₁₅ carbofuran increased egg production per day alive, carbofuran did not affect total egg production. In laboratory studies male nabids were observed dispersing mistlike droplets (probably pheromone) by rapid movement of a hind leg, or by flicking, a term proposed here. Exposure to carbofuran or methidathion appeared to decrease the frequency of flicking in surviving nabids; however, the decreases were not always significant. Oviposition rates of control females averaged 3-4 eggs/female/d for adults from field-collected nymphs and 6 eggs/female/d for adults from insectary-reared nymphs with peaks around 18-22 d after the final molt. A tachinid, Leucostoma simplex (Fallen), was the most common nabid parasite reared (parasitization rates of up to 40%), while the braconid, Wesmaelia pendula Foerster, parasitized 0-4% of R. americoferus. / Ph. D.

During recent years most of the successful developments in pyrethroids have been primarily concerned with structural or compositional variations. As a part of our continuing interest in pyrethroid insecticides, nitrogen-containing compounds having pyrethroid-like structures were synthesized. Seven prolinate compounds, N-(substituted)-phenyl-prolinates and N-carbobenzoxy-prolinates were coupled with known pyrethroid alcohols. These structural variations which "locked in" a specific conformation between the nitrogen and chiral a-carbon in the acid moiety of fluvalinate were studied to determine the influence of certain conformations on insecticidal toxicity. The toxicity data for the prolinate compounds showed intermediate mortality against nonresistant cockroaches. It was concluded that the conformation imposed by the proline ring portion of the esters was probably close to the favored conformation for interaction of fluvalinate-like pyrethroids with the insect receptor site. A second series of nitrogen-containing compounds, twenty-five carbamate esters resulting from the condensation of N-isopropyl-(substituted)-anilines and N-alkyl-(substituted)-benzylamines with appropriate pyrethroid alcohols were studied for insecticidal activity. These studies were conducted on pyrethroid-susceptible houseflies. Some of the carbamate esters exhibited high toxicity when synergized by piperonyl butoxide. For example, the toxicity ( LD 50 ) of O-a-cyano-3-phenoxyfaenzyl-N-a,a-dimethyl-4-bromo-benzyl carbamate was 0.012 ug/g, which is significantly greater than that reported for the potent pyrethroid, fenvalerate. Correlations of insecticidal activity with respect to structure and conformational factors of the carbamate esters have been made. The N-isopropyl substituent decreases insecticidal activity in the N-benzyl-derived compounds, while the N-isopropyl substituent enhances activity in the N-phenyl-derived compounds. Certain substituents on the phenyl ring of both analogs greatly affect insecticidal potency of the carbamate esters. Also, some alkyl substituents (especially, a,cx-dimethyl and a-cyclopropyl groups) on the benzylic carbon of the benzylamine series enhance toxicity. The a,a-dimethyl branching of the N-benzyl carbamate approximates the steric shape given by the gemdimethyl group for conventional cyclopropane ring-containing pyrethroids. The N-benzyl compounds are significantly synergized by piperonyl butoxide, particularly those in which the carbamate nitrogen atom is mono-substituted.

Apis mellifera est un insecte pollinisateur jouant un rôle économique et écologique majeur. Depuis plus d’une vingtaine d’années, d’importantes pertes de colonies d’abeilles ont été recensées à l’échelle mondiale. L’origine de ce phénomène impliquerait de nombreux facteurs de stress qui pourraient en outre interagir entre eux. Ce travail de thèse a eu pour but d’évaluer l’impact sur la santé de l’abeille de l’association entre un facteur biotique, le parasite microsporidien Nosema ceranae, et un facteur abiotique, des insecticides neurotoxiques à faibles doses. Des études en laboratoire ont montré que l’association N. ceranae-insecticide entraine une surmortalité significative, et plus précisément un effet synergique sur la mortalité des abeilles. Cet effet synergique semble indépendant de l’ordre d’exposition des abeilles aux deux facteurs de stress. De plus, lorsqu’ils ont été appliqués dès l’émergence des abeilles, ces facteurs ont eu un impact plus fort sur la mortalité. La réponse de l’abeille à N. ceranae et aux insecticides a ensuite été analysée à l’échelle transcriptomique. L’analyse du transcriptome de l’intestin a été réalisée en combinant une approche globale de séquençage à haut débit (RNA-Seq) et un suivi de l’expression d’une sélection de gènes par qRT-PCR. L’exposition à N. ceranae et aux insecticides a entraîné des modifications de l’expression de gènes impliqués dans les défenses de l’abeille (immunité, détoxication) et dans les métabolismes du tréhalose et de la chitine. De nombreuses perspectives à ce travail sont envisageables dans le but de mieux appréhender la réponse de l’abeille à différents facteurs de stress, notamment en combinant des expérimentations en laboratoire avec des études de terrain. / Apis mellifera is a pollinator insect playing of major economical and ecological importance. For more than two decades, severe honeybee colony losses have been reported worldwide. The origin of this phenomenon is thought to involve numerous stressors that could interact with each other. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact on honeybee health of the association between a biotic stressor, namely the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae, and an abiotic stressor, here low doses of neurotoxic insecticides. Laboratory studies showed that the N. ceranae-insecticide association leads to a higher mortality in honeybees, and more precisely to a synergistic effect. This effect seemed to be independent of the exposure sequence to stressors. Moreover, when applied at the emergence of honeybees, these stressors had a higher impact on individuals’ mortality. The honeybee response to N. ceranae and to insecticides has also been analysed at a transcriptional level. A midgut transcriptome analysis has been performed combining a global approach, using high-throughput sequencing (RNA-Seq), and a quantitative RT-PCR monitoring of the expression of selected genes. The exposure to N. ceranae and to insecticides led to modifications in the expression of genes involved in honeybee defenses (immunity, detoxification) and in trehalose and chitin metabolisms. Following this work, several prospects can be initiated in order to improve our understanding regarding the honeybee response to various stressors, combining laboratory experiments with field studies.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / In most cases the discipline plant protection is restricted to the protection of propagules, the plants and their produce in storage, while excluding the protection of processed (cooked) food from contaminants. Generally, the German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) is a serious contaminant of processed food and had recently been viewed as a pest worthy of control in plant protection when viewing the entire value chain of agricultural commodities. Due to the nature of the pest, it is quite difficult to control using registered agrochemicals on the market. An entrepreneur in the rural areas of Limpopo Province developed bait for cockroach control, which was code named Mohlolo during efficacy trials. The use of baiting in cockroach management is currently the sought after approach in the world where cockroaches are problematic. Bait has the advantage over liquid or dust formulations because baiting requires shorter service, has shown increased efficacy, and has reduced environmental contamination. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the effect of MIB would be age related in the suppression of populations of B. germanica under laboratory conditions, and also to investigate whether MIB would reduce populations of B. germanica in residential areas. Five concurrent B. germanica age-related experiments were run in a complete randomized design. 1-d, 2-d, 3-d, 4-d, 5-d old nymphs and adult German cockroach experiments were conducted at Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station (LATS) laboratory, (53’21,41” S/29 23o 44’19,95”E) hosted at the University of Limpopo. Each age group consisted of 10 nymphs and was put in 250 cm3 container that contained xv Mohlolo insecticide bait (MIB). One gram (1 g) of Mohlolo insecticide bait and moistened cotton wick were put at the bottom centre of the 250 cm3 containers containing nymphs based according to their respective ages. Residential experiments were conducted at UL student apartments. Two Bait containers were then placed in the kitchen, lodge, bathroom and bedroom. In the kitchen MIB containers were put behind the cooking stove and refrigerator, in the lodge the bait was placed next to the study table (because most study tables are also used during the eating time). In the bathroom the baits were put next to toilet seat and lastly in the bedroom, the bait was placed next to study table. According to the results, 100% mortality of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-days nymphs and adult B. germanica was obtained after 7th, 2nd 3rd 3rd and 4th day, whereas LT50 values ranged from half a day to one and half (1.5) day. The study also demonstrated that B. germanica populations had high LT50 and LT100 values in residential areas compared to LT50 and LT100 values obtained in the laboratory experiments. This is probably due to the fact that residential areas that have low levels of sanitation availed the cockroaches with an opportunity to choose from many foods hence, it reduced the probability for cockroaches to feed on Mohlolo insecticide bait in the respective apartments. Results of this study showed that, Mohlolo bait toxicity and effectiveness as a control agent can reduce infestation of cockroaches in all developmental stages when applied at small quantity. Providing results of this study would provide information on resistance and tolerance of B. germanica nymphs and adult population against MIB in the xvi laboratory and residential areas. It would also provide biological information on the efficacy of MIB against the German cockroaches.

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. in Veterinary Medical Science in the Department of Basic Sciences. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Les parasites du genre Plasmodium responsables du paludisme sont transmis du moustique à l’homme et de l’homme au moustique pendant la prise du repas de sang. L’utilisation massive des moustiquaires imprégnées d’insecticide pyréthrinoïdes vise à limiter la prise du repas de sang et à réduire la survie des moustiques. Dans un contexte de lutte antivectorielle généralisée, des mécanismes d’adaptations physiologiques et comportementaux ont été sélectionnés chez les populations d’Anophèles vecteurs. Les mécanismes de résistances physiologiques font l’objet d’un large effort de recherche alors que nous ne disposons que de peu de connaissances sur le comportement de recherche et de piqûre d’un homme protégé par une moustiquaire. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était de contribuer à la compréhension des interactions entre un mécanisme de résistance physiologique aux insecticides, le comportement des moustiques et les outils de lutte antivectorielle. Pour réaliser cette étude, nous avons recherché si la réponse comportementale d’Anopheles gambiae en présence de matériaux imprégnés d’insecticides est modulée par la présence de la mutation kdr L1014F, qui confère une résistance aux pyréthrinoïdes utilisés sur les moustiquaires imprégnées. À travers l’étude de 3 séquences comportementales, nos résultats ont permis d’apporter des informations cruciales sur le comportement des anophèles vecteurs du paludisme face aux moustiquaires imprégnées et de montrer des interactions gène-environnement complexes / Malaria transmission between humans and mosquitoes takes place during the blood sucking behaviour. Therefore widespread use of insecticide treated bed nets has been scaled up in order to limit the contact between mosquitoes and humans and reduce mosquito survival. In a context of global vector control tools implementation, mosquitoes evolved physiological and behavioral adaptations to survive and/or reduce contact with insecticides. While deep investigations have been carried out on physiological resistance, few data exist on the host seeking behavior evolution. In this PhD thesis we aimed to better understand how insecticide-treated materials modulates host seeking behaviour of Anopheles gambiae in relation with insecticide resistance. To do so, we focused on behavior of An. gambiae mosquitoes bearing different genotype for the kdr 1014 locus. Through the study of 3 complementary behavioural sequences, our results brought new insights about the malaria vector behavior in front of pyrethroid-impregnated bed nets and highlighted complex gene-environment interactions.

Le paludisme est une maladie provoquée par un protozoaire du genre Plasmodium sp. qui est transmis lors de la piqure par des moustiques du genre Anopheles. Actuellement, le contrôle de la maladie repose essentiellement sur la lutte contre les vecteurs avec notamment l’utilisation d’insecticides en imprégnation sur les moustiquaires ou en aspersion sur les murs à l’intérieur des habitations. Dans certaines régions, l’efficacité des insecticides est menacée par des mécanismes de résistance aux insecticides qui se développent dans les populations de vecteurs. Alors, que les mécanismes de résistance physiologique font l’objet de nombreuses recherches et sont maintenant assez bien connus, les modifications comportementales qui peuvent également conférer ou participer à la résistance à ces outils de lutte sont encore très peu étudiées. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc d’apporter des éléments nouveaux pour la compréhension des interactions entre insecticides, mécanismes de résistance physiologique et comportement. Durant cette thèse, nous nous sommes concentrés sur les mutations de cible L1014F et G119S des gènes codant respectivement pour le canal sodium voltage dépendant et pour l’acétylcholinestérase conférant une résistance croisée aux pyréthrinoïdes et organochlorés pour la première et aux carbamates et organophosphorés pour la seconde. Nous avons étudié leur influence sur le comportement de recherche de l’hôte et le système olfactif périphérique en présence ou non d’insecticides. Nos résultats ont permis de mettre en évidence des interactions complexes entre les insecticides présents dans l’environnement et les gènes de résistance sur le système olfactif et sur le comportement. Ces informations sont cruciales pour l’étude de l’impact de ces interactions sur l’efficacité des stratégies mis en place pour lutter contre la transmission du paludisme. / Malaria is caused by a protozoan belonging to the genus Plasmodium sp. transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria control mainly relies on vector control strategies such as insecticide-treated bed nets or insecticide residual sprayings. In some areas, the effectiveness of insecticides is threatened by insecticide resistance mechanisms spreading in vector populations. Physiological resistance mechanisms have been deeply investigated whereas behavioural modulations conferring or involved in resistance have been overlooked. The objective of this thesis is to provide new insights to better understand the interactions between insecticide, physiological-resistance mechanisms and behaviour. In this thesis we focused on target-site mutations L1014F and G119S on genes respectively coding for voltage gated sodium channel and acetyl-cholinesterase conferring crossed resistance to organochlorides and pyrethroids for the former and crossed resistance to organophosphates and carbamates for the latter. We studied their impact on the host seeking behaviour and the peripheral olfactory system in the presence or absence of insecticides. Our results highlight the complex interactions between insecticides in environment and resistance mechanism on the olfactory system and on behaviour. That could lead to a better resistance management and an improvement in the use of insecticides. This knowledge is essential in order to decipher with the impact of such interactions of the efficacy of vector control tools scaled up to fight against malaria.

M.Sc. / The organochlorine insecticides were amongst the first pollutants shown to cause adverse population effects. The potential adverse effects of these pollutants on wildlife are a cause for great concern. Severities of their effects were sometimes surprising given the low levels of the compounds in environmental compartments such as surface waters and soils. High lipophilicity combined with chemical stability and very slow biodegradation are characteristic features of these toxic Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Regional declines in fish, bird as well as invertebrate populations resulting from long term exposure to POPs such as 1,1-bis (4-chlorophenyl) -2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT) and its stable metabolite 1,1-bis (4-chlorophenyl) -2,2-dichloroethene (DDE), could be related to some biochemical, endocrine and physiological effects in individuals. Some POPs have been suggested to have negative effects disrupting physiological processes and resulting in alterations of homeostasis, reproduction, development and behavior. Such adverse effects upon populations may be avoided if the potential of chemicals to cause them is recognized before problems arise. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the ongoing spraying of DDT in the Limpopo Province is negatively affecting the health of aquatic species found in surface water of the area. Extensive research has shown that biomarkers have been very effective in the trace determination of a number of adverse effects caused by metals, and thus, are also being used for POPs. A battery of biomarkers (EROD, CAT and CEA) were used, both in the field and in a controlled laboratory environment, in order to try and determine the long term effects of exposure to low environmentally relevant levels of DDE in the selected area. DDT levels in the biota, water and sediment samples were also measured to determine the possible levels of exposure. Dose-response relationships were most successfully determined by the EROD and the CEA biomarkers in this study. In a controlled laboratory study, a definite effect was noted on the Mozambique Tilapia with increasing concentrations of DDE. In the natural environment, dose-response relationships to DDE exposure were more difficult to quantify as additional chemicals and natural environmental stressors also affect the results.

The 96-hr LC50 of cyfluthrin in Pimephales promelas ata temperature of 23*C and a pH of 8 was 1.08 g/L. The toxicity of cyfluthrin was inversely related to temperature and pH. A temperature of 10*C and a pH of 6 significantly decreased the 96-hr LC50 to 0.009 gg/L. Likewise, sublethal exposures to cyfluthrin significantly affected the fathead minnow's ability to tolerate high and low temperatures. Cyfluthrin compromised the fathead minnow's lower temperature tolerance (CTMin) by 60C and the upper temperature tolerance (CTMax) by 20C. Although cyfluthrin may not be present in the environment in large amounts due to its physical and chemical properties, small concentrations ( g/L) may adversely affect fish populations.