Aliphatic Lactones of Natural Origin: Their Toxicological and Behavioral Effects as a Possible Control Strategy for Medical Importance Mosquitoes

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Lactones are cyclic esters found in many of different fruits and in other natural products for human consumption. When lactones are used at concentrations considered safe for humans, they do not represent a risk to the environment. In nature, lactones constitute a class of compounds that exhibit a range of diversity in their chemical structure through ring size and substituents, as well as stereochemistry. The purpose of this review was to gather the information available to date on the biological effects of naturally occurring γ and δ lactones on mosquitoes of sanitary importance in order to improve their control. Recent Findings: Recent studies demonstrated the repellent effect of γ-octalactone on adult female Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. Repellent effects of other four aliphatic lactones were also found in larvae of the same species and Aedes aegypti. In addition, some aliphatic lactones were found to have a larvicidal effect in both species. Summary: Gamma and delta lactones of natural origin have shown repellency against larvae and adults of medical importance mosquitoes and some can even cause a larvicidal effect. This makes them compounds capable of being used as part of integrated management strategies used against these mosquitoes.