Studies on the insecticidal action of nereistoxin, 4-n, n-dimethylamino-1, 2-dithiolane

Abstract

The insecticidal properties of synthetic nereistoxin (4-N, N-dimethylamino-1, 2-dithiolane) hydrogen oxalate on houseflies, German cockroaches, azuki bean weevils, rice stem borers, soy bean aphids, spider mites, mulberry mealy bugs and several species of leaf-chewing insects were investigated. There were some differences in the toxicity even to a single species due to differences between the methods of administration. In general, it appeared that the oral toxicity of nereistoxin was higher than the contact toxicity. Although some of the knocked down insects revived from knockdown effect of nereistoxin, it was apparent the killing effect was higher against plant-chewing insects, such as rice stem borers, common cabbage worms, diamond-back moths, etc. Aphids and mites were considerably tolerant to nereistoxin. The killing effect of topically applied nereistoxin was higher on rice stem borers than on houseflies and German cockroaches. Accordingly, the difference of the permeability of nereistoxin to the cuticle between rice stem borers and houseflies was presumed. The spray test conducted with the larvae of rice stem borer suggested the possibility of existence of new insecticidal compounds which will be derived from nereistoxin and effective to control the borers in practical fields. The toxic symptoms which were brought by nereistoxin were very much dissimilar to those by organic phosphorus and chlorinated insecticides. This indicates the difference of the mechanism of insecticidal action between nereistoxin and other insecticides. © 1964, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.