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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330512
Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Permethrin and malathion LD90 values for Culex quinquefasciatus vary with tropical application site

Author
item Aldridge, Robert
item KAUFMAN, PHILLIP - University Of Florida
item BLOOMQUIST, JEFFREY - University Of Florida
item GEZAN, SALVADOR - University Of Florida
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken

Submitted to: Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2017
Publication Date: 4/19/2017
Citation: Aldridge, R.L., Kaufman, P.E., Bloomquist, J.R., Gezan, S.A., Linthicum, K. 2017. Permethrin and malathion LD90 values for Culex quinquefasciatus vary with tropical application site. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 31(3):306–311. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12236.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12236

Interpretive Summary: We quantified the impact of 2 active ingredients (permethrin and malathion) found in some pesticides used in mosquito control operations when small quantities were applied to 3 body regions of the southern house mosquito. Mortality was highest when each of the chemicals was applied to thorax and abdomen and lowest when applied to the legs. Permethrin caused non lethal behavioral changes which included disorientation, excessive grooming and loss of the treated leg.

Technical Abstract: Prior research with multiple insect species has demonstrated variation between the mortality associated with an insecticide and the location of exposure on the insect body. This variation has been demonstrated in Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), but it has not been quantified using a dose-effect curve. Applications of technical permethrin or malathion to one of three body regions on Cx. quinquefasciatus resulted in dose-response curves that were not equivalent. The generated LD90 values and curves at each body region were compared to historical LD values for several mosquito species at analogous sites, specifically the mesothorax. Based on our results, we calculated the permethrin and malathion LD90 concentrations required to be present in droplets impinging on the abdomen and the mesothorax of Cx. quinquefasciatus applied through ground-based spray systems utilized by mosquito control programs.