What class of insecticides stimulates cuticular inhibitors in mosquitoes to disrupt their life cycle?

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are designed specifically to interfere with the normal growth and development of insects, including mosquitoes. They function by mimicking hormones that regulate maturation and metamorphosis. By acting as cuticular inhibitors, IGRs disrupt the life cycle of mosquitoes at critical stages, such as larval and pupal development. This prevents them from reaching adulthood and reproducing, effectively reducing mosquito populations over time.

The mechanism by which IGRs operate is particularly targeted; they do not act as conventional neurotoxins like many other insecticides. Instead, by disrupting the hormonal balance, they prevent the insects from properly developing into the next stage of their life cycle. As a result, mosquitoes exposed to IGRs may hatch and grow but will eventually die before they can mature into reproductive adults, thus breaking the reproduction cycle.

This makes IGRs a powerful tool in mosquito control strategies, particularly in integrated pest management programs. Their specific action allows for the targeting of juvenile stages without adversely affecting beneficial insects or the environment as much as other classes might.