Larvicidal and residual activity of imidazolium salts against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

• Published in: Pest management science Vol. 74; no. 4; pp. 1013 - 1019
• Main Authors: Goellner, Emanuelle, Schmitt, Ademir Tramontini, Couto, Júlia Lacerda, Müller, Nicolas Drumm, Pilz‐Junior, Harry Luiz, Schrekker, Henri Stephan, Silva, Carlos Eugenio, da Silva, Onilda Santos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-04-2018; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aedes aegypti; Aquatic insects; chemical control; Culicidae; Dengue fever; dengue virus; Exposure; Fever; imidazolium ionic liquids; Insecticide resistance; Insecticides; Larvae; Larvicides; Mode of action; Mortality; mosquito control; Mosquitoes; Salts; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases; Viral diseases; Yellow fever; zika virus; imidazolium ionic liquids; mosquito control; Aedes aegypti; chemical control; zika virus; dengue virus
• ISSN: 1526-498X; 1526-4998
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.4803

BACKGROUND
Aedes aegypti is an important mosquito species that can transmit several arboviruses such as dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya and zika. Because these mosquitoes are becoming resistant to most chemical insecticides used around the world, studies with new larvicides should be prioritized. Based on the known biological profile of imidazolium salts (IS), the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of six IS as larvicides against Ae. aegypti, as tested against Ae. aegypti larvae. Larval mortality was measured after 24 and 48 h, and residual larvicidal activity was also evaluated.
RESULTS
Promising results were obtained with aqueous solutions of two IS: 1‐n‐octadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (C18MImCl) and 1‐n‐hexadecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (C16MImMeS), showing up to 90% larval mortality after 48 h exposure. C18MImCl was more effective than C16mIMeS, causing mortality until day 15 after exposure. An application of C18MImCl left to dry under ambient conditions for at least 2 months and then dissolved in water showed a more pronounced residual effect (36 days with 95% mortality and 80% mortality up to 78 days).
CONCLUSION
This is the first study to show the potential of IS in the control of Ae. aegypti. Further studies are needed to understand the mode of action of these compounds in the biological development of this mosquito species. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Imidazolium salts were tested against Aedes aegypti and showed high levels of toxicity with low doses, a prolonged residual effect, and injurious in the larvae.