Larvicidal and adulticidal activity chroman and chromene analogues against susceptible and permethrin-resistant mosquito strains

Authors: Meepagala, Kumudini; ESTEP, ALDEN - Department Of Navy; Becnel, James

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2016
Publication Date: 6/1/2016
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62603
Citation: Meepagala, K.M., Estep, A.S., Becnel, J.J. 2016. Larvicidal and adulticidal activity chroman and chromene analogues against susceptible and permethrin-resistant mosquito strains. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 64(24):4914-4920.

Interpretive Summary: Mosquitoes play a major role in transmission of diseases such as dengue fever, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, schistosomiasis, and yellow fever especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries worldwide. Mosquito borne diseases are presently among the greatest human health problems in the world. Some current pesticides have become ineffective to mosquitoes due to repeated application. Therefore it is important to search for new products that are effective and environmentally friendly. Mosquito control is currently the best strategy to prevent mosquito borne diseases. There are numerous approaches for control of potentially dangerous mosquito populations. These approaches include use of adulticides (insecticides), larvicides, and use of repellents to a limited extent. Source reduction can be a very effective control strategy for immature mosquitoes in particular larval habitats (artificial containers) but cannot be employed in environmentally sensitive habitats such as woodland ponds, lakes, swamps etc. Larvicides for mosquito control must be environmentally friendly due to impacts on non-target species in many sensitive habitats and bodies of water that are used by the general public. In our previous studies as part of an effort in search for mosquito repellents under the DWFP (Deployed War Fighter Protection) program of the U.S. Armed Forces Pest Management Board, we have synthesized some natural product-derived chromene analogues that have a longer duration of action and higher potency against Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes than DEET in laboratory tests. This paper describes the synthesis and structure activity of chroman and chromene derivatives that have repellent, adulticidal and larvicidal activities.

Technical Abstract: Mosquitoes play a major role as vectors for the transmission of parasitic and viral diseases such as dengue hemorrhagic fever, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, schistosomiasis, and yellow fever worldwide. Mosquito borne diseases are presently among the greatest human health problems in the world. Mosquito borne diseases not only affect the general public but they also affect deployed military personnel. Insecticide sprays and larvicide use have historically been the primary control methods for pest mosquito populations. However, continued application of these insecticides and larvicides has caused adverse effects on the environment and non-target species. Moreover insecticide resistance has emerged in numerous mosquito species to common insecticides. Emergence of resistance among mosquitoes to current pesticides increases the importance of the search for alternate compounds that are effective and environmentally benign with different modes of action than those that are currently marketed. There are numerous approaches to control mosquito populations. These approaches include use of adulticides (insecticides), larvicides, and use of repellents to a limited extent. Source reduction can be a very effective control strategy for immature mosquitoes in particular larval habitats (artificial containers) but cannot be employed in environmentally sensitive habitats such as woodland ponds, lakes, swamps etc. Larvicides for mosquito control must be environmentally friendly due to impacts on non-target species in many sensitive habitats and bodies of water that are used by the general public. In our previous studies as part of an effort in search for mosquito repellents under the DWFP (Deployed War Fighter Protection) program of the U.S. Armed Forces Pest Management Board, we have synthesized some natural product-derived chromene analogues that have a longer duration of action and higher potency against Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes than DEET in laboratory bioassays. This paper describes the synthesis and structure activity of chroman and chromene derivatives that have adulticidal and larvicidal activities against permethrin sensitive and resistant mosquitoes.