Pymetrozine has been reported to have a stimulatory action on locust chordotonal organs. We have found that 4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide, the bioactive metabolite of flonicamid, as well as pyrifluquinazon and its bioactive deacetylated metabolite also have this effect. Furthermore, all of these compounds have a similar effect on the cockroach cercal chordotonal organ, but not on other types of insect mechanoreceptors. Johnston's organ of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a chordotonal organ in the second antennal segment that is specialized to perceive sound, wind and orientation with respect to gravity. Johnston's organ is also perturbed by these same compounds, resulting in disruption of hearing and gravity perception. Extensive information on its biophysics and genetics makes the fruit fly Johnston's Organ an excellent model system for studying the molecular mechanisms of action of insecticides on chordotonal organs.

Action of insecticides on chordotonal organs

248th National Meeting (2014)

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