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Jeena M, Kumar G, Yadav CP, Lata S, Thakur Y, Kaur J, Pasi S. Polyols induce acute oxidative stress and mortality in Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae): potential for use as sugar-cum-toxin source in toxic sugar baits. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38872579 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vectors has necessitated the development of novel vector control tools. One such strategy involves the use of toxic sugar baits that targets the sugar-feeding behaviour of mosquito vectors. In this study, we investigated the potential of polyols, as a toxic food (sugar) source in toxic sugar baits against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston. We examined the acute toxicity of six polyols, namely, erythritol, glycerol, mannitol, propylene glycol (PG), sorbitol, and xylitol on adult female An. stephensi mosquitoes at two different concentrations - 2% and 10%. We also studied changes in fecundity, egg hatchability and mid-gut peroxide levels induced by polyol exposure. RESULTS Among the six polyol compounds tested, PG was most toxic and lethal followed by glycerol and erythritol (P < 0.001) compared to the control (sucrose). PG induced acute mortality at different tested concentrations. In the erythritol- and glycerol-fed groups, a dose-dependent effect on mortality was observed. Glycerol evidently reduced fecundity and egg-hatchability in gonotrophic cycles G1 and G2. Sucrose was the preferred food source (48%), followed by erythritol (18%), PG (10%) and glycerol (8%). Ingestion of polyols increased peroxide levels in mosquito guts, which persisted for extended durations ultimately resulting in rapid mortality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The present study highlights the usefulness of sugar polyols for the development of toxic sugar baits with minimal yet effective ingredients. Further research could be focused on field experiments and on the exploration of synergistic effects of different polyols for optimization of field applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Jeena
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Chander Prakash Yadav
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
- ICMR - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, India
| | - Suman Lata
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Yamini Thakur
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Jaspreet Kaur
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Shweta Pasi
- ICMR - National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
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Li L, Duo H, Zhang X, Gong H, Li B, Hao Y. Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Revealing the Potential Mechanisms of Erythritol-Caused Mortality and Oviposition Inhibition in Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3738. [PMID: 38612549 PMCID: PMC11011834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Erythritol has shown excellent insecticidal performance against a wide range of insect species, but the molecular mechanism by which it causes insect mortality and sterility is not fully understood. The mortality and sterility of Drosophila melanogaster were assessed after feeding with 1M erythritol for 72 h and 96 h, and gene expression profiles were further compared through RNA sequencing. Enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG revealed that expressions of the adipokinetic hormone gene (Akh), amylase gene (Amyrel), α-glucosidase gene (Mal-B1/2, Mal-A1-4, Mal-A7/8), and triglyceride lipase gene (Bmm) were significantly up-regulated, while insulin-like peptide genes (Dilp2, Dilp3 and Dilp5) were dramatically down-regulated. Seventeen genes associated with eggshell assembly, including Dec-1 (down 315-fold), Vm26Ab (down 2014-fold) and Vm34Ca (down 6034-fold), were significantly down-regulated or even showed no expression. However, there were no significant differences in the expression of three diuretic hormone genes (DH44, DH31, CAPA) and eight aquaporin genes (Drip, Big brain, AQP, Eglp1, Eglp2, Eglp3, Eglp4 and Prip) involved in osmolality regulation (all p value > 0.05). We concluded that erythritol, a competitive inhibitor of α-glucosidase, severely reduced substrates and enzyme binding, inhibiting effective carbohydrate hydrolysis in the midgut and eventually causing death due to energy deprivation. It was clear that Drosophila melanogaster did not die from the osmolality of the hemolymph. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the mortality and sterility in Drosophila melanogaster induced by erythritol feeding. It also provides an important theoretical basis for the application of erythritol as an environmentally friendly pesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bo Li
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China; (L.L.)
| | - Youjin Hao
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China; (L.L.)
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Younes M, Aquilina G, Castle L, Degen G, Engel K, Fowler PJ, Frutos Fernandez MJ, Fürst P, Gundert‐Remy U, Gürtler R, Husøy T, Manco M, Mennes W, Moldeus P, Passamonti S, Shah R, Waalkens‐Berendsen I, Wright M, Batke M, Boon P, Bruzell E, Chipman J, Crebelli R, FitzGerald R, Fortes C, Halldorsson T, LeBlanc J, Lindtner O, Mortensen A, Ntzani E, Wallace H, Barmaz S, Civitella C, D'Angelo L, Lodi F, Laganaro M, Rincon AM, Smeraldi C, Tard A. Re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as a food additive. EFSA J 2023; 21:e8430. [PMID: 38125972 PMCID: PMC10731997 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This opinion addresses the re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as food additive and an application for its exemption from the laxative warning label requirement as established under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Erythritol is a polyol obtained by fermentation with Moniliella pollinis BC or Moniliella megachiliensis KW3-6, followed by purifications and drying. Erythritol is readily and dose-dependently absorbed in humans and can be metabolised to erythronate to a small extent. Erythritol is then excreted unchanged in the urine. It does not raise concerns regarding genotoxicity. The dataset evaluated consisted of human interventional studies. The Panel considered that erythritol has the potential to cause diarrhoea in humans, which was considered adverse because its potential association with electrolyte and water imbalance. The lower bound of the range of no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) for diarrhoea of 0.5 g/kg body weight (bw) was identified as reference point. The Panel considered appropriate to set a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI) at the level of the reference point. An ADI of 0.5 g/kg bw per day was considered by the Panel to be protective for the immediate laxative effect as well as potential chronic effects, secondary to diarrhoea. The highest mean and 95th percentile chronic exposure was in children (742 mg/kg bw per day) and adolescents (1532 mg/kg bw per day). Acute exposure was maximally 3531 mg/kg bw per meal for children at the 99th percentile. Overall, the Panel considered both dietary exposure assessments an overestimation. The Panel concluded that the exposure estimates for both acute and chronic dietary exposure to erythritol (E 968) were above the ADI, indicating that individuals with high intake may be at risk of experiencing adverse effects after single and repeated exposure. Concerning the new application, the Panel concluded that the available data do not support the proposal for exemption.
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Cha DH, Skabeikis D, Kim BS, Lee JC, Choi MY. Insecticidal Properties of Erythritol on Four Tropical Tephritid Fruit Flies, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera dorsalis, and B. latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050472. [PMID: 37233100 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Tephritid fruit flies are among the most destructive agricultural pests of fruits and vegetables worldwide and can impose trade barriers against the movement of fresh tropical commodities. Primary pre-harvest control methods for these flies rely on the spraying of conventional chemical insecticides or bait sprays. However, resistance to these control methods has been reported in fruit flies. Erythritol is a non-nutritive sugar alternative for human consumption, which has been tested and confirmed for its insecticidal properties against various insect pest species. In this study, using laboratory bioassays, we evaluated the insecticidal effect of erythritol alone or various erythritol formulations containing sucrose and/or protein on four tropical fruit fly species established in Hawaii (e.g., melon fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, oriental fruit fly, and Malaysian fruit fly). In addition, the effects of other non-nutritive hexose and pentose sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, were tested. Among the different standalone and combinatory treatments tested, 1M erythritol and a combinatory formulation of 2M erythritol + 0.5M sucrose appeared to be the most detrimental to the survival of all four species of tested flies, suggesting the potential of using erythritol as a non-toxic management tool for the control of tropical tephritid fruit flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong H Cha
- Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 64 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Dominick Skabeikis
- Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 64 Nowelo St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 3420 NW Orchard Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Bong-Soo Kim
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Jana C Lee
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 3420 NW Orchard Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 3420 NW Orchard Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
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Price BE, Breece C, Galindo G, Greenhalgh A, Sagili R, Choi MY, Lee JC. Nonnutritive Sugars for Spotted-Wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Control Have Minimal Nontarget Effects on Honey Bee Larvae, a Pupal Parasitoid, and Yellow Jackets. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:47-55. [PMID: 36383202 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, spotted-wing drosophila, is a major pest of small fruits and cherries and often managed with conventional insecticides. Our previous work found that erythritol, a nonnutritive polyol, has insecticidal properties to D. suzukii. Two formulations of erythritol (1.5M), with 0.5M sucrose or 0.1M sucralose, are most effective at killing D. suzukii. In this study, we investigated the nontarget effects of these erythritol formulations on honey bee Apis mellifera Linnaeus larvae, a pupal parasitoid of D. suzukii, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani, and western yellow jacket, Vespula pensylvanica Saussure. We directly exposed honey bee larvae by adding a high dose (2 µl) to larval cells and found no significant mortality from either formulation compared to the water control. Pachycrepoideus vindemiae may encounter erythritol in field settings when host plants of D. suzukii are sprayed. The erythritol+sucralose formulation was more detrimental than erythritol+sucrose to P. vindemiae, however, this effect was greatly reduced within a 21-d period when a floral source was present. Since yellow jackets are a nuisance pest and were attracted to the erythritol formulations in recent field trials, we tested adult V. pensylvanica survival with continuous consumption of these formulations in the laboratory. We found no detectable detriment from either formulation, compared to the sucrose control. Overall, both erythritol formulations caused minimal nontarget effects on honey bee larvae, P. vindemiae parasitoids, and western yellow jackets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana E Price
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Carolyn Breece
- Department of Horticulture, 2750 SW Campus Way, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Gracie Galindo
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Abigail Greenhalgh
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
- Department of Horticulture, 2750 SW Campus Way, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Ramesh Sagili
- Department of Horticulture, 2750 SW Campus Way, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Jana C Lee
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, 3420 NW Orchard Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
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Neupert S, Jandt JM, Szyszka P. Sugar alcohols have the potential as bee-safe baits for the common wasp. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3005-3011. [PMID: 35420734 PMCID: PMC9324110 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pest insects are often baited with poisoned feeding stimulants, the most common of which are sugars. However, sugars are attractive for most animal species, which makes it difficult to target only a specific pest insect species. Here, we assessed different sugar alcohols for their potential as more species-selective feeding stimulants for pest insects. RESULTS We tested the attractiveness of the sugar alcohols sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol with a capillary feeder assay in wasps (as potential pest insects, because introduced wasps are a pest in many regions) and bees (as non-target insects). For the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), sorbitol and xylitol acted as nutritive feeding stimulants, and erythritol acted as a non-nutritive feeding stimulant. For the buff-tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris), sorbitol acted as a feeding stimulant, while for the honey bee (Apis mellifera), none of the sugar alcohols acted as feeding stimulant. CONCLUSION The species-specific preferences for sugar alcohols suggest their potential as species-selective insect baits. The wasp-specific preference for xylitol suggests its potential as a bee-safe alternative to sugar-containing bait for controlling the common wasp. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Szyszka
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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Price BE, Yoon JS, Choi MY, Lee JC. Effects of nonnutritional sugars on lipid and carbohydrate content, physiological uptake, and excretion in Drosophila suzukii. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 109:e21860. [PMID: 34865250 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The nonnutritive sugar, erythritol, has the potential to be a human-safe management tool for the small fruits and cherry pest, Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila. Feeding on erythritol decreases fly survival and oviposition by starving and creating an osmotic imbalance in the body. Recently, we demonstrated that erythritol combined with another nonnutritive sugar, sucralose, was fed upon more than erythritol alone and hastens D. suzukii mortality. This suggests that sucralose is a suitable nonnutritive phagostimulant alternative to sucrose. Although promising, the nutritional and physiological impacts of sucralose on D. suzukii are unknown. In this study, we investigated whether sucralose is metabolized or excreted by D. suzukii when fed various erythritol, sucrose, and sucralose formulations. We found that sucralose cannot be metabolized or converted into any nutritional substitutes or storage carbohydrates in D. suzukii. Instead, sucralose molecules were largely accumulated in the hemolymph and slowly excreted from the body, creating a significant osmotic imbalance in D. suzukii. To excrete unused sugars, flies will use their own body fluids to restore homeostasis, resulting in losing a substantial amount of body weight and becoming desiccated in the process. In summary, ingesting sucralose leads to starvation and hyperosmotic pressure in the body, causing a decrease in fitness. With confirmation of sucralose being non-metabolizable and phagostimulative to D. suzukii, the erythritol+sucralose formulation is a promising insecticide for growers to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana E Price
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - June-Sun Yoon
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Yeon Choi
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jana C Lee
- Horticultural Crops Research Unit, USDA ARS, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Schmidt-Jeffris RA, Beers EH, Smytheman P, Rehfield-Ray L. Erythritol, an Artificial Sweetener, Is Acaricidal Against Pest Mites and Minimally Harmful to a Predatory Mite. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:1701-1708. [PMID: 34079990 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Erythritol, an artificial sweetener, has shown promise as an organic, human-safe insecticide. Recently, erythritol applications were shown to be successful at controlling pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster)) (Hempitera: Psyllidae), the most important pest of pear in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and pear rust mite (Epitrimerus pyri (Nalepa)) (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) can also be highly damaging pear pests. Their common natural enemy, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), can provide biological control if selective pesticides are used for managing other pests. Through a series of bioassays, we sought to determine whether erythritol could also be used for controlling either species of pest mite. We also examined whether erythritol had acute or sublethal impacts on G. occidentalis, through a variety of exposure methods. Effects examined included mortality, fecundity, prey consumption, and locomotion. We determined that a high concentration of erythritol (30%) had efficacy against both pest mite species and caused arresting behavior in twospotted spider mite. Erythritol caused little acute mortality in G. occidentalis, but did reduce fecundity and prey consumption through some exposure methods. Through motion-capture software, we determined that this is primarily due to reduced movement, likely caused by difficulty walking on residues and excessive grooming behavior. Because the predatory mite non-target effects were less acute than those for the two pest mites, we concluded that erythritol could likely be integrated into pear IPM with little or no disruption of mite biological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Schmidt-Jeffris
- USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA
| | - Elizabeth H Beers
- Washington State University, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N Western Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA
| | - Peter Smytheman
- Washington State University, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N Western Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA
| | - Linda Rehfield-Ray
- USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA
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Lee SH, Choe DH, Lee CY. The Impact of Artificial Sweeteners on Insects. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:1-13. [PMID: 33155652 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners are sweet-tasting additives found in consumable products as substitutes for naturally occurring sugars. They are derived from plant extracts or manufactured by chemical synthesis. Ingestion of sweeteners by insects can lead to significant physiological effects, such as mortality, decreased fecundity, and behavioral change. Due to their low toxicity toward humans and the issues associated with conventional insecticide usage, artificial sweeteners have recently gained attention for their potential use as biorational insecticides. Here, we review their impact on insects and potential as novel insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hung Lee
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Dong-Hwan Choe
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Chow-Yang Lee
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
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Naturally Occurring Compounds/Materials as Alternatives to Synthetic Chemical Insecticides for Use in Fire Ant Management. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11110758. [PMID: 33158097 PMCID: PMC7694179 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Red imported fire ants are a notorious pest, impacting humans, livestock, pets and wildlife due to their venomous stings and causing billions of dollars in damages annually. Synthetic insecticides are a major tool used to control this pest. There is an ever-increasing public concern about the potential adverse effects of synthetic insecticides. Extensive effort has been made in searching for alternatives. In addition to biological control, physical and cultural practices, and semiochemicals, natural products continue to be one of the most attractive sources of alternatives. Naturally occurring compounds/materials have been successfully used as active ingredients in fire ant baits, contact-based control products, repellants and fumigants. In this article, we summarized the synthetic insecticides that are currently used in managing fire ants, available alternative products in the current USA market, and academic efforts in searching for fire ant natural toxins, repellants and fumigants. Abstract The invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (hereafter, fire ants), is a significant threat to public health and a danger to livestock, pets and wildlife due to their venomous stings. The fire ant has invaded many countries and regions and has become a globally significant pest. The current major tool to manage fire ants are synthetic insecticides that are used largely as stomach poisons in bait products or contact insecticides in spray, broadcast, drench, and dust products for area and nest treatments. In addition to these insecticide products, repellants and fumigants can also be useful in some unique scenarios. The ever-increasing public concern about the potential adverse effects of synthetic insecticides on health and the environment has been a driving force for searching for safer alternatives to control fire ants. Tremendous effort has been made in developing biologically-based control for managing fire ants; however, natural products continue to be one of the most attractive sources of safe alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Here, we summarized the synthetic insecticides that are currently used in managing fire ants, available alternative products in the current market, and academic efforts in searching for fire ant natural toxins, repellants and fumigants.
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Barrett M, Caponera V, McNair C, O'Donnell S, Marenda DR. Potential for Use of Erythritol as a Socially Transferrable Ingested Insecticide for Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 113:1382-1388. [PMID: 32048713 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ants are significant structural and agricultural pests, generating a need for human-safe and effective insecticides for ant control. Erythritol, a sugar alcohol used in many commercial food products, reduces survival in diverse insect taxa including fruit flies, termites, and mosquitos. Erythritol also decreases longevity in red imported fire ants; however, its effects on other ant species and its ability to be transferred to naïve colony members at toxic doses have not been explored. Here, we show that erythritol decreases survival in Tetramorium immigrans Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a concentration-dependent manner. Access to ad-libitum water reduced the toxic effects of erythritol, but worker mortality was still increased over controls with ad-lib water. Foraging T. immigrans workers transferred erythritol at lethal levels to nest mates that had not directly ingested erythritol. Similar patterns of mortality following erythritol ingestion were observed in Formica glacialis Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Camponotus subarbatus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and Camponotus chromaiodes Bolton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). These findings suggest that erythritol may be a highly effective insecticide for several genera of ants. Erythritol's potential effectiveness in social insect control is augmented by its spread at lethal levels through ant colonies via social transfer (trophallaxis) between workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Barrett
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Virginia Caponera
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Cheyenne McNair
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sean O'Donnell
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Daniel R Marenda
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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