Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #350212
Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Insect neurotoxicity and physiological mode of action of basic amines

Author
item YANG, LIU - University Of Florida
item Bernier, Ulrich
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken
item BLOOMQUIST, JEFFREY - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2018
Publication Date: 2/15/2018
Citation: Yang, L., Bernier, U.R., Linthicum, K., Bloomquist, J.R. 2018. Insect neurotoxicity and physiological mode of action of basic amines. Meeting Abstract. pg. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The basic amines 1-methylpiperazine and 1-methylpyrrolidine have been proposed as chemicals that interfere with insect host-seeking behavior with a possible anosmia, or narcotizing effect on Aedes aegypti. In this study, the behavior and toxicity, as well as the electrophysiology effects of these basic amines and the related basic amine, triethylamine (an active ingredient in Flynap') were investigated. Vapor phase assay in glass tubes of 1-methylpiperazine and 1-methylpyrrolidine on Aedes adult females showed an initial repellency, followed by narcosis (ability to stand, but loss of propensity to walk or fly), knock down (inability to stand),and paralysis/death when expose to 200 nl of the tested chemicals. At the same concentration, triethylamine showed a fast knock down effect (within 1 min) without any repellent effect, and the knockdown effect of triethylamine was reversible, unlike that of the other two amines. All three compounds increased the discharge frequency of mechanoreceptor neurons following topical treatment to the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) tarsus, and decreased the nerve firing of the Drosophila melanogaster larval central nervous system. Eelectroantennographic study showed a significant antennal response of Ae. aegypti to the three basic amines, and the responses were not affected by prior anesthesia from triethylamine exposure or ice. These observations suggest that the anosmia effect caused by basic amine exposure was not due to simple block of antennal sensory neuron firing. Because of their structural relatedness to the potassium channel blockers 4-aminpyridine and tetraethylammonium, further studies on patch clamp are underway to investigate their effects on potassium channels.