Feeding and mating deterrency by sulfhydryl reagents in Triatoma infestans.
Topical application of different sulfhydryl (SH) reagents in acetone solution resulted in a deterrence of the feeding activity of Triatoma infestans nymph V. The ED50 for topical application of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), the more active compound assayed, was 8.9 micrograms/insect. This effect showed a dose-dependent reversibility. We also observed feeding deterrency when a gauze cloth impregnated with NEM was located between the food source and the nymphs. After topical NEM treatment, mating deterrency was assessed by counting spermatophores dropped and eggs laid. When a population of adult insects, nymphal stages and eggs was reared in a cage containing filter papers treated with 0.4 mg/cm2 of NEM, a significant decrease of population density was seen after 200 days of exposure. Weekly replacement of filter papers impregnated with 0.13 mg/cm2 NEM for a period of one year enabled population control to be maintained. Antifeeding and antimating effects of NEM in Triatoma infestans and the resulting population control could be attributed to a chemoreceptor blockage produced by SH reagents.
Picollo
M I
MI
Centro de Investigaciones de Plagas e Insecticidas-CIPEIN-(CIEFA-CONICET, Pcia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Seccacini
E
E
Vassena
C
C
Zerba
E
E
D000818:Animals; D005033:Ethylmaleimide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014224:Triatoma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D005033:Ethylmaleimide