Four undescribed pyrethrins from seeds of Pyrethrum cinerariifolium and their aphidicidal activity

Four undescribed pyrethrins C-F(1-4)as well as four known pyrethrins(5-8)were isolated from seeds of Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trev.The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated by UV,HRESIMS,and NMR(^(1)H and ^(13)C NMR,^(1)H-^(1)H COSY,HSQC,HMBC and ROESY),among which the stereostructure of compound 4 was determined by calcu-lated ECD.Furthermore,compounds 1-4 were evaluated for their aphidicidal activities.The insecticidal assay results showed that 1-4 exhibited moderate aphidicidal activities at the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL with the 24 h mortality rates ranging from 10.58 to 52.98%.Among them,pyrethrin D(2)showed the highest aphidicidal activity,with the 24 h mortality rate of 52.98%,which was slightly lower than the positive control(pyrethrin II,83.52%).

Lethal effects of pyrethrins on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana)

Spruce budworm （Choristoneura fumiferana （Clemens）） is one of the most serious forest insect pests in North America. Laboratory bioassays were performed to determine the lethal doses and lethal time of pyrethrins （a botanical insecticide） on 4th instar larvae of spruce bud-worm using larval dip assay. Results show that the LT50 values（time of 50% larval mortality）for spruce budworm at the pyrethrins concentra-tions of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg·L-1 were 94.78, 45.54, 20.36, 14.39 and 11.37 h, respectively. The percentage of cumulative mortality at the pyrethrins concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 μg·L-1 was approxi-mately 50%, 67%, 93%, 100% and 100% within 120 h, respectively. The LC50 value （concentration of 50% larval mortality） for the 4th instar lar-vae was 16.1μg·L-1. Thus, larval mortality of spruce budworm increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and lethal time decreased with increasing pyrethin concentrations. These findings suggest that pyrethrins have a potential in controlling spruce budworm populations.

Pulmonary Toxicity of a Formulated Preparation of Fenvalerate in Rats Subchronically Exposed by Nose Only Inhalation for 90 Days

Objective The pulmonary toxicity of a commercially available formulated preparation of Fenvalerate (Fen), a synthetic pyrethroid has been studied in rats following subchronic nose only inhalation exposure route. Method Adult male rats were exposed to Fen for 4h/day, 5 days a week for 90 days by using Flow Past Dynamic Nose only Inhalation Chamber. Results Fen exposed rats showed a significant increase in enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) which are considered as biochemical indicators of pulmonary damage. The concomitant histopathological examination of Fen exposed rats' lung revealed inflammatory changes viz., influx of mononuclear cells admixed with a few giant cells in alveolar lumen, hypetrophied bronchiolar and alveolar epithelial lining cells and presence of edematous fluid in alveolar lumen alongwith congested parenchymatous blood vessels. Conclusion These results for the first time indicate the pulmonary toxic effects of a commonly used formulated Fen preparation by using rat model and nose only inhalation as the route of exposure.

An overview of pyrethroid insecticides

BACKGROUND： Pesticides are used to control various pests of agricultural crops worldwide. Despite their agricultural benefits, pesticides are often considered a serious threat to the environment because of their persistence. Pyrethroids are synthetic derivates of pyrethrins, which are natural organic insecticides procured from the flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum. Pyrethroids are classified into two groups class Ⅰ and class Ⅱ-based on their toxicity and physical properties. These pyrethroids are now used in many synthetic insecticides and are highly specific against insects; they are generally used against mosquitoes. The prominent site of insecticidal action ofpyrethroids is the voltage-sensitive sodium channels. METHODS and RESULTS： Pyrethroids are found to be stable, and they persist in the environment for a long period. This article provides an overview of the different classes, structure, and insecticidal properties of pyrethroid. Furthermore, the toxicity of pyrethroids is also discussed with emphasis on bioremediation to alleviate pollution. CONCLUSIONS： The article focuses on various microorganisms used in the degradation ofpyrethroids, the molecular basis of degradation, and the role of carboxylesterase enzymes and genes in the detoxification of pyrethroid.

Aerosol distribution and efficacy in a commercial food warehouse

A series of field trials were conducted in a commercial food storage facility to evaluate exposure of stored-product insects to aerosol formulations of synergized pyrethrins and the insect growth regulator methoprene. When adults of Tribolium castaneum （Herbst）, the red flour beetle, and Tribolium confusum （Jacqueline DuVal）, the confused flour beetle were exposed with and without a food source to synergized pyrethrin aerosol, there was no difference in adult mortality with respect to availability of food at either 7 or 14 days after exposure （P≥0.05）. However, mortality was lower in T. confusum （40.4% and 79.3% with flour at 7 and 14 days, 38.9% and 84.8% without flour at 7 and 14 days） compared to T. castaneum （96.5% and 99.8% with flour at 7 and 14 days, 91.0% and 98.7% without flour at 7 and 14 days）. Few late-stage larvae and pupae of either species exposed to the pyrethrin aerosol emerged as adults. In tests with methoprene aerosol, adult emergence of exposed 3- and 4-week-old larvae of T. confusum was less than 2%. Only 0.3% of 4-week-old larvae of T. castaneum exposed in open and obstructed areas emerged as adults. Emergence of adults from eggs of Plodia interpunctella （Hubner）, the Indianmeal moth, embedded in culture media and exposed to the methoprene aerosol was 13.2%±3.5%. Results show that the aerosols evaluated in our study could give effective control of some of the major storedproduct insect pests in commercial food storage facilities, and may offer an alternative to fumigation.