Chemosterilization of Culex pipiens fatigans Wiedemann by exposure of aquatic stages. 3. Induction of dominant lethal mutations in the F 1 generation by certain aziridines, phosphoramides, and s-triazines.

In insects it is known that the chemosterilant treatment induces dominant lethal mutations which bring about embryonic death. The possibility of delayed expression of the chemosterilant-induced dominant lethals in F(1) progeny of the tropical house mosquito, Culex pipiens fatigans Wiedemann has been investigated. The chemosterilants employed were 8 aziridinyl compounds, 3 phosphoramides, and 4 s-triazines. In general, all the chemosterilants tested were found to cause different degrees of mortality at different life stages of the F(1) progeny. In this respect the aziridinyl compounds were more effective than the phosphoramides and s-triazines. This effect of the chemosterilants may be useful in the sterile-male technique.