A comparison of the morphogenetic and sterilizing activities of juvenile hormone mimics on Aedes aegypti

Abstract

At 25°C, adult female aedes aegypti are most sensitive to sterilization by juvenile hormone (JH) mimics when such chemicals are applied 32 to 36 hr after the blood meal (when the ovaries are at late stage III to early stage IV). Application of JH mimics during this period reduces egg fertility and female fecundity and induces the production of large numbers of visually abnormal eggs. As the most sensitive phase for sterilization with JH mimics is well before oviposition, and as many abnormal eggs are laid following JH mimic treatment, it is likely that in this species sterilization effects are induced by some action on the developing oöcyte rather than on embryonic development. The relative activities of several JH mimics in sterilizing adult female A. aegypti are very similar to their relative activities in inhibiting metamorphosis. Thus the sterilizing action of JH mimics is likely to be a true JH effect and can be used as a test for JH activity for A. aegypti.