Methylenedioxyphenyl Compounds and Acylbenzals as Insect Antifertility Agents

In an effort to exploit a new approach to the control of insects, chemicals that will prevent or interfere with insect reproductive processes are being sought by the Pesticide Chemicals Research Branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The general principles and advantages in the control of insects by this means instead of by conventional insecticides have been advanced by Knipling. These possibilities are based upon the following principle : The introduction of sexually sterile, but otherwise sexually vigorous males, into the natural population of an insect species will have greater influence in reducing its population than elimination of the same number by destruction through the use of insecticides.