Assessment of Resistance to Organophosphates and Pyrethroids in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Do Synergists Affect Mortality?

Aedes aegypti (L.) is the primary vector of Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses. Insecticides used in mosquito control can help prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases. However, it is essential to determine insecticide resistance (IR) status before control measures are undertaken. Only the most effective insecticides should be used to avoid ineffective control and/or promotion of IR. Pyrethroids and organophosphates are the most commonly used insecticides for mosquito control. Here, the efficacy of two active ingredients (AIs; permethrin [pyrethroid], chlorpyrifos [organophosphate]), two formulated products (FPs; Biomist [AI: permethrin]) and (Mosquitomist [AI: chlorpyrifos]), and three synergists (piperonyl butoxide, diethyl maleate, S-S-S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) was evaluated in two Ae. aegypti colonies (pyrethroid resistant and susceptible). Mosquitomist was most effective against the pyrethroid-resistant colony (100% mortality at diagnostic time). Pre-exposure to synergists did not increase the efficacy of AIs against the pyrethroid-resistant colony. Further research is needed to discover how synergists may affect the efficacy of insecticides when used on pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

Effects of Fall Applications of Chemical Defoliants, Urea, and Gibberellic Acid on Defoliation in the Fall and Performance of Hydrangeas During Forcing

In two separate experiments, Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. ‘Merritt's Supreme’ plants were used to study the effects of foliar sprays of Def 6 (tributyl phosphorotrithioate, 2500, 5000, 7500, and 10,000 mg·L−1), gibberellic acid (GA, 50 mg·L−1), copper–EDTA (CuEDTA, 0.5% and 1.0%), Florel (2000 mg·L−1), and urea (3%) on defoliation in the fall and growth and flowering performance during forcing. Compared with controls (plants sprayed with water only), spraying plants with urea or GA alone had no influence on defoliation or plant performance during forcing, and spraying plants with Florel alone had no influence on defoliation but decreased total flower dry weight during forcing. Combining urea with Florel sprays decreased the adverse effects of Florel on plant quality and combining GA with Florel improved defoliation. Increasing concentrations of Def 6 and CuEDTA increased defoliation. Compared with controls, plants sprayed with CuEDTA exhibited more defoliation, showed bud and leaf necrosis, and produced lower flower dry weight during forcing. Combining urea with CuEDTA sprays decreased the adverse effects of CuEDTA on plant quality. Compared with controls, spraying plants with Def 6 increased defoliation, caused no visible damage to plants, and had no adverse effects on plant quality during forcing. Adding urea to sprays containing Def 6 decreased or had no influence on the efficiency of defoliation and increased total flower dry weight during forcing compared with Def 6 alone. Adding GA to sprays containing lower concentrations of Def 6 (2500 and 5000 mg·L−1) increased the efficiency of defoliation without adversely influencing plant quality.