PHYSIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS OF N-SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND THEIR ESTERS WITH PRE-IMAGINAL STAGES OF AEDES AEGYPTI (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

Abstract

Physiological interactions of n-saturated fatty acids, trans-2-unsaturated fatty acids and their methyl and ethyl esters with pre-imaginal stages of Aedes aegypti (L.) have been described. Differences in the response of the larvae and pupae to the same chemical and also the specific interactions of some chemicals synchronized with a short period during the development of a single stage have been emphasized. Investigations of a homologous series of fatty acids and their derivatives indicate that earlier statements to the effect that their toxicity increases as the series is ascended, and that maximum toxicity is reached in the vicinity of capric and lauric acids, should not be accepted without modifications.

EFFECTS OF ECDYSONES, JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOGS, AND 6-OXOOCTANOIC ACID ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOSQUITO, CULEX TARSALIS (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

“…Similar abnormalities were also reported when Aedes aegypti (L.) (Spielman and Williams 1966) and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say (Spielman 1970) were treated with this hormone. Abnormal metamorphosis in A. aegypti and Musca domestica L. following treatment with synthetic queen substance analogs, and alkanes and alkenes, were also reported by Quraishi (1971Quraishi ( , 1972a and Thorsteinson (1965a, b and. Similar effects were also noticed with several plant extracts (Quraishi et al 1972).…”

Toxic and Teratogenic Effects of Esters of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids on House Fly Larvae (Diptera: Muscidae)

“…Quraishi and Thorsteinson (1967) reported that Aedes aegypti larvae treated with alkanes or alkenes of chain lengths of 13 carbon atoms or more showed a tendency to hang vertically from the surface of water with their bodies slightly curved, the dorsal surface being convex, whereas the normal larva makes an acute angle with the horizontal with its body held straight. Quraishi (1972) observed that larvae of Aedes aegypti treated with ethyl pentadecanoate and ethyl hexadecanoate exhibited a similar behavior. McFarlane and Henneberry (1965) found that methyl hexadecanoate "drastically" reduced the incidence of wing development.…”

“…In previous papers (Quraishi 1971 ;Quraishi and Thorsteinson 1965) the effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on larvae of the house fly, Musca domestica L., have been described. Quraishi (1972) also reported upon the physiological interactions of n-saturated and trans-Z-unsaturated fatty acids and their esters with pre-imaginal stages of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti L . .…”

“…The teratogenic effects and selective toxicities of some of these chemicals were emphasized and their potential use as selective insect control agents was suggested. Pertinent literature on the subject was summarized earlier (Quraishi 1971 ) . It was pointed out that available publications do not cover the physiological effects on insects of a homologous series of fatty acids and literature on the responses of insects to the methyl and ethyl esters of a homologous series of fatty acids was not available.…”

“…Our own investigations (Quraishi 1971(Quraishi , 1972Quraishi and Thorsteinson 1965) which suggested selective toxicity of these chemicals, and the paucity of literature on the interaction of insects with a homologous series of methyl and ethyl esters of fatty acids, induced us to investigate the response of the house fly larva to these esters.…”