Actographic analysis of the effects of an esterase inhibitor on male moth responses to sex pheromone

Effect of Treatment With 3-Octylthio-1,1,1-Trifluoropropan-2-One in the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) to the Toxicity of Diafenthiuron, Indoxacarb, and Bacillus thuringiensis

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a worldwide insect pest of cruciferous crops. Although insecticides have long been used for its control, diamondback moth rapidly evolves resistance to almost any insecticide. In insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is critically involved in almost all biological processes. The correct activity of JH depends on the precise regulation of its titer, and juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is the key regulator. Thus, JH and JHE have become important targets for new insecticide development. Trifluoromethyl ketones are specific JHE inhibitors, among which 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP) has the highest activity. The interaction effects between pretreatment with or combination of OTFP and the insecticides diafenthiuron, indoxacarb, and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were investigated in diamondback moth larvae to determine OTFP's potential as an insecticide synergist. In third-instar larvae, both pretreatment and combination treatment with OTFP decreased or antagonized the toxicities of diafenthiuron, indoxacarb, and Bt at all set concentrations. In fourth-instar larvae, combination treatment with OTFP decreased or antagonized the toxicities of diafenthiuron and indoxacarb at all set concentrations. However, it increased or synergized the toxicity of Bt at lower concentrations despite the limited effect at higher concentrations. Our results indicated that the effect of OTFP on the toxicities of insecticides varied with the type and concentration, larval stage, and treatment method. These findings contribute to the better use of OTFP in diamondback moth control.

Aquatic ecotoxicity of a pheromonal antagonist in Daphnia magna and Desmodesmus subspicatus

Evaluation of the ecotoxicological potential of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK), a new biorational agent with high prospective features to control the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides in infested maize fields, in comparison to the parent pheromone compound (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac) is described. Acute and sublethal toxicity tests of both compounds against the cladoceran Daphnia magna and the chlorophyte Desmodesmus subspicatus were conducted, the endpoints being immobilisation and feeding inhibition for Daphnia and growth rate inhibition for Desmodesmus. In addition, effects on B esterases including cholinesterase and carboxylesterase activities in Daphnia were also assessed to evaluate the mode of action of both chemicals. Toxicities of both compounds were moderate with EC(50) values ranging from 3.11 to 103.74mgl(-1) in algae growth, from 0.07 to 1.20mgl(-1) in Daphnia survival, and from 0.10 to 0.53mgl(-1) in Daphnia feeding rate. In all cases Z11-16:TFMK was more toxic than the naturally occurring pheromone component. Serine esterase assays showed a strong inhibition of the carboxylesterase activities in Daphnia at concentrations with apparently no effects on survival or feeding, suggesting that inhibition of other key esterases may be the possible mechanism of toxicity of this compound. The results obtained have been related with some physico-chemical properties of the compounds, such as water solubility and octanol-water partition coefficient, suggesting that Z11-16:TFMK may affect aquatic organisms at lower concentrations than expected from non-polar narcosis.

On the use of microwave radar devices in chronobiology studies: An application withPeriplaneta americana

Modified motion detectors can be used to monitor locomotor activity and measure endogenous rhythms. Although these devices can help monitor insects in their home cages, the small size of the animals requires a very short wavelength detector. We modified a commercial microwave-based detection device, connected the detector's output to the digital input of a computer, and validated the device by recording circadian and ultradian rhythms. Periplaneta americana were housed in individual cages, and their activity was monitored at 18 degrees C and subsequently at 28 degrees C in constant darkness. Time series were analyzed by a discrete Fourier transform and a chi-square periodogram. Q10 values and the circadian free-running period confirmed the data reported in the literature, validating the apparatus. Moreover, the spectral analysis and periodogram revealed the presence of ultradian rhythmicity in the range of 1-8 h.

The Influence of Fluorinated Molecules (Semiochemicals and Enzyme Substrate Analogues) on the Insect Communication System

Can the introduction of fluorine atoms affect the bioactivity of natural semiochemicals? Can fluorine contribute in the creation of specific enzyme inhibitors to interrupt or disrupt the insect communication system? The first step for the bioactivity of a molecule is interaction with the biological sensor. Hydrogen and fluorine are almost bioisosteric and the receptor site of the enzyme can still recognize and accept the fluoro analogue of its natural substrate. However, the peculiar electronegativity of the fluorine atom can affect the binding, absorption, and transport of the molecule. The differences in the molecule's electronic properties can lead to differences in the chemical interactions between the receptor and the fluorinated substrate. Fluorine introduction can modify the metabolic stability and pathway of the semiochemicals in many different ways. Fluorinated analogues can show synergism, inhibition, or hyperagonism effects on insect behaviors, that is, the activity of the nonfluorinated parent compounds can be mimicked, lost, or increased. In any case, the fluorinated molecules can interact with the bioreceptors in a new and disrupting way. The semiochemicals are olfactory substances: fluorine can affect their volatility or smell. Production of semiochemicals from exogenous substances, perception at antennal receptors, and processing of biological responses are the main steps of communication among insects. In the production step, the fluorinated molecules can interact with enzymes that catalyze the biosynthesis of the natural pheromones. In the perception step, fluorinated semiochemicals can interact with the olfactory receptor cells; this often leads to totally unpredictable behaviors. Fluorinated molecules have been developed as probes to elucidate the complex chemorecognition processes of insects. Many of these molecules have been tested to find highly effective behavior-modifying chemicals. New analogues have been synthesized to investigate the metabolic pathway of a pheromone molecule and many of them are promising disrupting agents. Despite such titanic research efforts, the results have often been random, rational trends in the induced behaviors have sometimes been impossible to find, and practical applications of the fluorinated semiochemicals are still uncertain.

Disruption of responses to pheromone by (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an analogue of the pheromone, in the cabbage armyworm Mamestra brassicae

The effects of (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK) a fluorinated pheromone analogue, on the responses to sex pheromone of the male cabbage armyworm, Mamestra brassicae, have been investigated in an actograph and by electroantennography (EAG). In spite of its structural proximity with the natural pheromone, Z11-16:TFMK was poorly active in EAG, and not active on male behaviour. When permeated in the air, Z11-16:TFMK reversibly inhibited the electroantennographic responses to (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), the main component of the sex pheromone. In the actograph, the latency of the activation was increased and the intensity of the behavioural activity of males in response to Z11-16:Ac was significantly reduced in the presence of Z11-16:TFMK. These results, along with others previously reported by us, provide new pointers to the possible use of Z11-16:TFMK in pest-control strategies.

Direct evidence of a radical mechanism in the addition reaction of iododifluoroesters to olefins by spin trapping

We present EPR analysis of the reaction of ethyl iododifluoroacetate with 1-tetradecene in the presence of Zn + NiCl2 x 6H2O, confirming the mechanistic studies that provide evidence of a single electron transfer process. We have trapped for the first time the ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethyl radical with a variety of spin traps, such as phenyl tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP), and 2-nitro-2-nitrosopropane (NNP), and the EPR spectra of the corresponding adducts have been recorded. In a second step the ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethyl radical adds to the olefin to furnish a second radical intermediate, which can be trapped with NNP. Evidence of this second radical was obtained by EPR only with electron-rich olefins, such as alpha-methylstyrene and 2,4,6-trimethylstyrene, and the new adducts were recorded and interpreted. In addition, we also report the EPR spectra of the corresponding adducts when other alkylating reagents are used, such as ethyl iodoacetate, n-perfluorohexyl iodide, methyl omega-iodohexadecanoate, and n-butyl iodide.