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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #259317
Title: Spatial repellent and contact irritant responses of Aedes aegypti to plant derived compounds as compared to DEET

Author
item SACHS, P. - Uniformed Services University
item RINER, D. - Uniformed Services University
item ACHEE, N. - Uniformed Services University
item Chauhan, Kamlesh
item GRIECO, J. - Uniformed Services University

Submitted to: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2008
Publication Date: 12/1/2008
Citation: Sachs, P., Riner, D., Achee, N., Chauhan, K.R., Grieco, J. 2008. Spatial repellent and contact irritant responses of Aedes aegypti to plant derived compounds as compared to DEET. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 79(6):71.

Interpretive Summary: Essential oils extracted from botanicals have been identified as very effective deterrent against insects that bite and transmit disease to humans and livestock. Since no mode of action or structural activity has been revealed, in the present study we have evaluated different essential oils and related other natural products to identify features necessary to exhibit repellent activities against disease transmitting insects. Understanding the chemical constituents responsible for insect repellent activity will be helpful in designing more effective compounds for natural product researchers and biopesticide industries.

Technical Abstract: Using a high-throughput screening system (HITSS), spatial repellent and contact irritant assays to evaluate the behavioral responses of Aedes aegypti exposed to various concentrations of five plant-derived compounds was conducted. The response to these botanicals was compared to the internal standard DEET. Only two of the experimental compounds tested showed activity as contact irritants; davana oil and nepetalactam. Nepetalactam functioned as a contact irritant at all doses while Davana Oil showed irritancy only at the two highest doses. Further studies are required with nepetalactam to determine if it is a viable alternative to DEET as a topical repellent.