Evaluation of hyperactivity produced by pyrethroid treatment on third instar nymphs ofTriatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Abstract

The hyperactivity produced in third instar nymphs of Triatoma infestans by their exposure to films of deltamethrin or cis‐permethrin was evaluated. Both pyrethroids produced a significant increase in locomotor activity at 26 and 36°C but not at 16°C. At 26°C, only deltamethrin produced hyperactivity when topically applied on the dorsal side of the nymphs abdomen. However, both pyrethroids produced hyperactivity when topically applied on the head of the nymphs. Hyperactivity was not observed when nymphs were treated with N‐ethylmaleimide (20 μg/insect) before exposure to the pyrethroids. The effect of both insecticides on locomotor activity reversed the inhibitory influence on locomotion elicited by contact with the walls of the experimental arena (thigmotaxis). Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:323–333, 1997.© 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Behavioural and toxicological responses of Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) to monoterpenes

“…Hyperactivity in insects is one of the first symptoms of intoxication produced by pyrethroids (Gammon, 1978;Miller & Adams, 1982;Alzogaray et al, 1997;Alzogaray & Zerba, 2001). Hyperactivity is responsible for the flushing-out phenomenon in which insects become more locomotory active and leave their refuges (Pinchin et al, 1980;Gualtieri et al, 1985).…”

“…Due to changes in the positions of the larvae, the number of total pixels "on" varies during an experiment. To standardize the data for the size of the larvae the results were expressed in terms of the quotient "movement"/"area" (Alzogaray et al, 1997). Each set of data was imported to and processed on a personal computer.…”

Toxicity of pyrethroids and repellency of diethyltoluamide in two deltamethrin-resistant colonies of Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

“…Locomotor activity -The first observable symptom in insects treated with pyrethroids is an increase in their locomotor activity (Gammon 1978, Miller & Adams 1982, Benoit et al 1985, Alzogaray et al 1997. Poisoned insects suffer a number of symptoms such as incoordination, tetanization, postration and death, as the process of intoxication proceeds (Gammon 1978).…”

“…It also quantifies the number of on pixels as a measurement of the area (A) occupied by insects. To obtain independent values of the changes in insect position during the experiment, we calculated the values of locomotor activity (LA) = M/A, as defined by Alzogaray et al (1997). Finally, we defined the parameter of locomotor activity variation (LAV) = LA(t) -LA(c), were LA(t) is the LA in insects exposed to the insecticide, and LA(c) is the LA in the control group.…”

Behavioral and Toxicological Responses ofRhodnius prolixusandTriatoma infestans(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to 10 Monoterpene Alcohols

“…To standardize the data for the size of the nymphs, we calculated the quotient M/A ϭ Locomotor Activity (Alzogaray et al 1997). The results were expressed in units of pixels/area.…”