Effect of Synthetic “Queen Substance” and Some Related Chemicals on Immature Stages of Aedes aegypti1

Abstract

Synthetic queen substance (9-oxodec-trans-2-enoic acid) was innocuous to the immature stages of Aedes aegypti (L.) except during the larval-pupal moult. A delayed toxic effect following some stress synchronized with metamorphosis of the larvae reared in 0.011 [image] solution of this synthetic honey bee pheromone occured and they sickened and died during the pupal stage. Trans-2-decenoic acid and decanoic acid are lethal to both aquatic stages as are 2-oxo-decanoic acid and 2-oxo-octanoic acid. Preliminary evidence indicates that both the unsaturated carbon linkage and the oxo group in the queen substance influence this modification of toxicity.