The comparative toxicity of DDT and analogues to susceptible and resistant houseflies and mosquitos.
Studies of the comparative toxicity of more than 120 DDT analogues to susceptible and insecticide-resistant houseflies (Musca domestica L.) and mosquitos (Culex fatigans Wiedemann and Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann) have shown that the relative effectiveness of these compounds against DDT-resistant insects is correlated with the susceptibility of the molecule to attack by DDT-ase at the benzylic hydrogen. Compounds highly effective against DDT-resistant flies and mosquitos are produced by blocking this detoxication mechanism by o-chlorination, alpha-fluorination, and by altering the aliphatic portion of the molecule as in the nitropropyl, neopentyl, dichlorocyclopropyl, and trichlorobenzanilide derivatives. These compounds offer practical possibilities for the control of DDT-resistant insects. The correlation of structure, DDT-like activity, and resistance ratios gives new insight into the mode of action of DDT and the nature of DDT resistance.
D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D009033:Culicidae / Q000187:drug effects*; D003634:DDT / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006793:Houseflies / Q000187:drug effects*; D007305:Insecticide Resistance
D003634:DDT