Spatial repellency, antifeedant activity and toxicity of three medium chain fatty acids and their methyl esters of coconut fatty acid against stable flies

Authors: ROH, GWANG HYUN - Gyeongsang National University; ZHOU, XIAOJIE - Beijing Center For Diseases Prevention And Control; WANG, YANSU - China Jiliang University; Cermak, Steven - Steve; Kenar, James - Jim; Lehmann, Alexander; HAN, BAOYU - China Jiliang University; Taylor, David; ZENG, XIAOPENG - Beijing Centers For Disease And Prevention, Department Of Pest Inspection; PARK, CHUNG GYOO - Gyeongsang National University; BREWER, GARY - University Of Nebraska; Zhu, Junwei - Jerry

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2019
Publication Date: 8/5/2019
Citation: Roh, G., Zhou, X., Wang, Y., Cermak, S.C., Kenar, J.A., Lehmann, A.T., Han, B., Taylor, D.B., Zeng, X., Park, C., Brewer, G.J., Zhu, J.J. 2020. Spatial repellency, antifeedant activity and toxicity of three medium chain fatty acids and their methyl esters of coconut fatty acid against stable flies. Pest Management Science. 76(1):405-414. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5574.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5574

Interpretive Summary: Stable flies are one of the most detrimental arthropod pests to livestock. With changing climate and agronomic practices, they expand their roles as pests and disease vectors as well. Their painful bites reduce livestock productivity, annoy companion animals, and interfere with human recreational activities. Current management technologies are unable to effectively manage stable flies. The present study reports new data about the contact and spatial repellency of coconut oil fatty acids and their derivatives compounds, methyl esters. It is demonstrated that antifeedency is the main method that coconut fatty acids deter stable fly blood-feeding. The C8:0, C10:0 and C12:0 coconut fatty methyl esters act not only as strong antifeedants, but also possess strong toxicity against stable fly adults.

Technical Abstract: The present study reports new data concerning the contact and spatial repellency, and toxicity of coconut oil fatty acids and their methyl ester derivatives to stable flies. Three medium chain fatty acid methyl esters (C8:0, C10:0 and C12:0) showed strong antifeedency activity against stable flies. The strengths of repellency from three methyl esters were dose-dependent. Only the C8:0acid and C8:0- and C12:0methyl esters elicited significant antennal responses. Laboratory single cage olfactometer bioassays revealed that coconut oil fatty acids and C8:0 methyl ester displayed active spatial repellency. All three methyl esters showed strong toxicity against stable flies.