Pyrethroid insecticides exert toxic effects by targeting voltage-gated sodium channels. They are the only class of insecticides that are approved for use in insecticide-treated bednets for malaria control due to their low mammalian toxicity. In recent years, transfluthrin (TF) and other volatile pyrethroids are incorporated in a wide variety of mosquito-repelling devices as insect repellents. However, the nature of pyrethroid repellency and the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we took a combination of electrophysiological, toxicological and behavioral approaches to elucidate the molecular basis of pyrethroid repellency in Aedes aegypti. TF and a TF acetylene derivative, ACTF, elicited electroantennogram (EAG) responses and spatial repellency. Single sensillum recording (SSR) revealed TF and ACTF activated specific OR neurons in adult antennae. Furthermore, pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes carrying sodium channel mutations were less sensitive to spatial repellency, suggesting the involvement of sodium channels in pyrethroid repellency. Our study provide a new conceptual framework for understanding of the mechanisms of repellency and the modes of action of pyrethroids for mosquito control.

Molecular basis of transfluthrin repellency in Aedes aegypti

254th National Meeting (2017)

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