Porphyric insecticides. 1. Concept and phenomenology

Constantin A. Rebeiz, John A. Juvik, Carole C. Rebeiz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The concept and phenomenology of a new approach to the design of insecticides is described. The novel insecticides consist of modulators of the porphyrin-heme biosynthetic pathway, which, when used singly or in combination with δ-aminolevulinic acid, induce the massive accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in the treated insect. The uncontrolled protoporphyrin biosynthesis causes death of the treated insect in darkness and in light. In light, death appears to be photodynamic in nature. It is also shown that photodynamic damage can be induced by treating the insect with exogenous protoporphyrin or Mg-protoporphyrin. We propose the term "porphyric insecticides" to designate such insecticides. It is argued that the appeal of porphyric insecticides may reside (a) in the potential to design a large number of totally biodegradable formulations that can act as selective photodynamic insecticides and herbicides and (b) in the anticipated difficulty for insects to develop resistance toward such insecticides.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-27
Number of pages17
JournalPesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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