Action of some insect growth regulators on mosquito vectors: Part I--Citronellol based diethers.

New series of compounds starting from common terpenoids (Geraniol, citronellol) have been examined for biological activity on mosquito larvae. Many of these exhibited development disruption on eggs as well larvae. Some also affected adult oviposition behaviour. Developmental disturbances were classified as JH type by inducing typical metamorphosis inhibition in Dysdercus koenigii in the standard Hemipteran JH bioassay. Where indicated simulated field trials were also undertaken. This report describes results of bioevaluation of the citronellol based compounds. The results indicate that these show multifarious activity against mosquitoes but at relatively high doses, suggesting that exploration of further structural variety is needed before truly promising analogues can be obtained.