Effect of the juvenile hormone agonist pyriproxyfen on larval and pupal development of the citrus swallowtail Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

The citrus swallowtail Papilio demoleus L. is a serious pest of citrus in many regions of the world. We evaluated the effects of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone agonist, on late-stage larval and pupal development of the pest. Fourth and fifth instars, as well as freshly formed prepupae were treated topically with concentrations of 7.5—60 μg/|μl of the juvenile hormone analogue. Effects included prolongation of larval duration, delay in larval-larval and larval-pupal ecdysis, mortality, formation of mosaics with larval, pupal and adult characteristics, decreased and imperfect pupation, and complete inhibition of emergence. These results demonstrate that pyriproxyfen has an adverse effect on the development and metamorphosis of the citrus swallowtail, and further work is recommended, including laboratory and field studies.