Effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on the protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents of banana fruit fly, Zaprionus paravittiger larvae

Abstract

The influence of gibberellic acid (GA3), a plant growth regulator (PGR), on the protein, total lipid, total carbohydrate, glycogen and trehalose contents of the banana fruit fly, Zaprionus paravittiger (Godbole and Vaidya) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), was investigated by feeding 63-h-old larvae on artificial diet containing 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm GA3, for 30 and 50 h. The maximum increase in the protein content was recorded for the 1000 ppm GA3 treatment. Significant decreases in the total lipid and total carbohydrate contents were recorded at 1000 and 2000 ppm while the 4000 ppm treatment significantly increased their levels. Glycogen content was significantly decreased by all the tested GA3, concentrations. The possible reasons for the observed changes in these biochemical components are discussed.