Inventors at the University of Arizona have discovered a novel compound with a strong larvicidal effect on two mosquito species. The compound synthesis can be done in only a few steps and the compounds show a high degree of chemical specificity.
Background: Numerous diseases are spread by mosquitoes including Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne virus that infects roughly 250 million humans per year. Larviciding can be an effective strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) where mosquito larvae are terminated before reaching maturation.
Applications:
Advantages: