Biophysical aspects of nervous activity in relation to studies on the mode of action of insecticides

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Abstract
The spread to the nervous system of topically applied neurotoxic insecticides is discussed. During spread different insecticides may distribute themselves between fluid and solid phases within the insect's tissues in greatly differing ratios. These differences are reflected in their concentrations in the haemolymph, which is probably the medium mainly responsible for distributing insecticides within the insect, and also the main source from which insecticides enter the nervous system. Evidence for spread via more restricted pathways, such as tracheae or the nerves themselves, is conflicting.The mode of action of neurotoxic insecticides is briefly reviewed, including the role of secondarily released neuroactive stress substances, and the extent to which resistance is expressed at the site of action is also discussed.Finally, the nervous system is examined for new sites of insecticidal action which, if attacked, could give greater specificity.