Toxic effect and genotoxicity of the semisynthetic derivatives dillapiole ethyl ether and dillapiole n-butyl ether for control of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

• The compounds 1KL39-B and 1KL43-C were toxic and genotoxic on A. albopictus.
• Aedes albopictus eggs and larvae exposed to the 1KL39-B and 1KL43-C exhibited high mortality.
• The two semi-synthetics of dillapiole are a potential alternative for A. albopictus control.

Two derivatives of dillapiole, dillapiole ethyl ether (1KL39-B) and butyl ether-n dillapiole (1KL43-C), were studied for their toxicity and genotoxicity against Aedes albopictus, to help develop new strategies for the control of this potential vector of dengue and other arboviruses, because it is resistant to synthetic insecticides. Eggs and larvae exposed to different concentrations of 1KL39-B (25, 30, 50, 70, and 80 μg/mL) and of 1KL43-C (12.5, 20, 25, 30 and 40 μg/mL) exhibited toxicity and susceptibility, with 100% mortality. The LC50 was 55.86 ± 1.57 μg/mL for 1KL39-B and 25.60 ± 1.24 μg/mL for 1KL43-C, while the LC90 was 70.12 μg/mL for 1KL39-B and 41.51 μg/mL for 1KL43-C. The gradual decrease in oviposition of the females of the G1 to G4 generations was proportional to the increase in concentrations of these compounds, which could be related to the cumulative effect of cell anomalies in neuroblasts and oocytes (P < 0.05), including micronuclei, budding, multinucleated cells and nuclear bridges. These findings showed that both 1KL39-B and 1KL43-C can serve as potential alternatives in the control of A. albopictus.