Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223809
Title: Novel botanical-based insecticides and their environmental fates.

Author
item Zhu, Junwei - Jerry

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Biting insects including mosquitoes and biting flies transmit many serious diseases in human and livestock animals. One way to control them and to reduce the diseases they spread consists of eliminating larval habitats or using larvicidal applications to create unsuitable habitats for their development. Although applications of synthetic larvicides can be effective for some species, their use has given rise to environmental concerns. It also indicates that constant application may lead to the rapid development of larvicide-resistant insects. It is imperative to develop environmental friendly products for biting insect larval control. Botanical-based insecticides have been considered attractive alternatives to synthetic chemicals for pest management, including biting insect control. These products are usually less harmful to the natural environment and human health. In the present paper, I report the impact of the selected botanical-based insecticides on the larvicidal activity of several biting insects, as well as the evaluation of their toxicity.

Technical Abstract: Biting insects including mosquitoes and biting flies transmit many serious diseases in human and livestock animals. One way to control them and to reduce the diseases they spread consists of eliminating larval habitats or using larvicidal applications to create unsuitable habitats for their development. Although applications of synthetic larvicides can be effective for some species, their use has given rise to environmental concerns. It also indicates that constant application may lead to the rapid development of larvicide-resistant insects. It is imperative to develop environmental friendly products for biting insect larval control. Botanical-based insecticides have been considered attractive alternatives to synthetic chemicals for pest management, including biting insect control. These products are usually less harmful to the natural environment and human health. In the present paper, I report the impact of the selected botanical-based insecticides on the larvicidal activity of several biting insects, as well as the evaluation of their toxicity.