Juvenile hormone inhibitory and mosquito larvicidal substances derived from actinomycetes

Abstract

Mosquitoes are major pests that attack humans and spread pathogens. To control mosquito larvae, insect growth regulators such as methoprene and pyriproxyfen have been widely used. Juvenile hormone antagonists (JHAN) have the potential to act as an eco-friendly insecticide with a novel mode of action. Actinomycetes are known as a producer of an enormous number of secondary metabolites. In this study, secondary metabolites of 232 Actinomycetes strains were screened for their juvenile hormone antagonist activity and their mosquito larvicidal activity. Among them, IMBL-1939, 1952, 2005 and 2064 strains showed mosquito larvicidal activity with JHAN activity. These actinomycetes derived JHAN could be alternative sustainable vector control agents.