The Relative Toxicity of Nicotine, Anabasine, Methyl Anabasine, and Lupinine for Culicine Mosquito Larvae

Abstract

Based on concentration required to kill 50 per cent of a population of culicine mosquito larvae in 8 hours at 29.3°C., the relative toxicity of four alkaloids is as follows: nicotine 100, anabasine 38, methyl anabasine 21, and lupinine 6 (?). According to unpublished observations of others, nicotine and anabasine may be equally effective against aphids. Nicotine and anabasine are much less toxic than rotenone against mosquito larvae and house flies. Methods for preparing the alkaloids and for obtaining, rearing, counting, and transferring mosquito larvae are described.