Toxicity and synergistic activities of Chalcones against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Authors: GROSS, AARON - University Of Florida; TABANCA, NURHAYAT - University Of Florida; ISLAM, RAFIQUE - University Of Florida; ALI, ABBAS - University Of Mississippi; KHAN, IKHLAS - University Of Mississippi; KAPLANCIKLI, ZAFER - Anadolu Universtiy; ALTINTOP, MEHLIKA - Anadolu Universtiy; OZDEMIR, AHMET - Anadolu Universtiy; BLOOMQUIST, JEFFREY - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/9/2016
Publication Date: 12/8/2016
Citation: Gross, A., Tabanca, N., Islam, R., Ali, A., Khan, I.A., Kaplancikli, Z.A., Altintop, M.D., Ozdemir, A., Bloomquist, J.R. 2017. Toxicity and synergistic activities of Chalcones against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Journal of Medical Entomology. 54(2):382-386.

Interpretive Summary: Mosquito-borne illnesses are of great concern throughout the world, and chemical insecticides are commonly employed to decrease mosquito populations. However, the developmental insecticide pipeline for vector control has primarily been filled by repurposed agricultural products, and is hampered by their widespread use and insecticide resistance. The present study was performed in the search for new chemical insecticides or insecticide synergistsand 31 chalcone analogs were screened against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) first-instar larval toxicity assay. Additionally, synergism studies were performed by topically applying chalcones to adult female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Fourteen chalcone analogs had LC50 values in the range of 0.4–38ppm against first-instar Ae. aegypti larvae, and three chalcones displayed toxicity against D. melanogaster via feeding. Two chalcones synergized carbaryl toxicity against adult Ae. aegypti with efficacy similar to piperonyl butoxide. As a result, it is concluded that chalcones may serve as novel insecticides and synergists after further structural optimization.

Technical Abstract: Mosquito-borne illnesses are of great concern throughout the world, and chemical insecticides are commonly employed to decrease mosquito populations. However, the developmental insecticide pipeline for vector control has primarily been filled by repurposed agricultural products, and is hampered by their widespread use and insecticide resistance. The present study was performed in the search for new chemical insecticides or insecticide synergists. Screening of 31 chalcone analogs was performed using Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) first-instar larval toxicity assay, and oral feeding to Drosophila melanogaster’s proper authority should be (Meigen). Synergism studies were performed by topically applying chalcones to adult female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to examine its impact on activity of carbaryl, which was compared to piperonyl butoxide alone. Fourteen chalcone analogs had LC50 values in the range of 0.4–38ppm against first-instar Ae. aegypti larvae, and three chalcones displayed toxicity against D. melanogaster via feeding (LC50 values ranged from 146–214 lg/ml). Two chalcones synergized carbaryl toxicity against adult Ae. aegypti with efficacy similar to piperonyl butoxide. As a result, it is concluded that chalcones may serve as novel insecticides and synergists after further structural optimization.