Factors Influencing the Interaction of Insecticidal Mists and Flying Insects

Abstract

The yellow fever mosquito, Aëdes aegypti, has been employed in experiments on the mode of action of adjuvants. With this insect under the test conditions employed, a decrease in the rate of knockdown was observed as a result of adding sesamin, sesame oil or IN 930 to a pyrethrum spray. It was shown that the increment of kill produced by activators was not attributable to any effect on either the particle size of the mist or the behaviour of the insect which led to an increase in the dose accumulated during the test exposure. No activating effect was apparent with DDT. The final mode of action remains unexplained.