title: Toxicity, localization and elimination of the phototoxin, alpha-terthienyl, in mosquito larvae.
abstract: Mosquito larvae were examined to determine interspecific and interstrain differences in susceptibility to the larvicidal effects of the plant-derived phototoxin, alpha-terthienyl (alpha-T). The LC50 values were as follows: Aedes aegypti, 4 ppb; Ae. epactius, 6 ppb; anopheles stephensi, 14 ppb; malathion-susceptible Culex tarsalis (S), 12 ppb; malathion-resistant Cx. tarsalis (R), 16 ppb. Fluorescence studies indicated localization of alpha-T in the midgut epithelium and in the lumen of Malpighian tubules. Rates of elimination of tritiated alpha-T differed significantly between Ae. aegypti and Cx. tarsalis (S) larvae. Rate of 3H-alpha-T elimination was inversely correlated with susceptibility to the toxic effects of the compound. The toxicological significance of selective alpha-T accumulation and the importance of alpha-T elimination in determining sensitivity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hasspieler
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Arnason
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Downe
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000378:metabolism; D003465:Culex / Q000378:metabolism; D009033:Culicidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005453:Fluorescence; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013876:Thiophenes; C019101:alpha-terthienyl