Insecticidal activity of cyanohydrin and monoterpenoid compounds

The insecticidal activities of several cyanohydrins, cyanohydrin esters and monoterpenoid esters (including three monoterpenoid esters of a cyanohydri n) were evaluated. Topical toxicity to Musca domestica L. adults was examin ed, and testing of many compounds at 100 mu g/fly resulted in 100% mortalit y. Topical LD50 values of four compounds for M. domestica were calculated. Testing of many of the reported compounds to brine shrimp (Artemia francisc ana Kellog) resulted in 100% mortality at 10 ppm, and two compounds caused 100% mortality at 1 ppm. Aquatic LC50 values were calculated for five compo unds for larvae of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti (L.)). Monoterp enoid esters were among the most toxic compounds tested in topical and aqua tic bioassays.