Abstract

Oral treatment indicated that the substituted dibenzoylhydrazine tebufenozide is a potent nonsteroidal agonist of ecdysteroids when tested on last instar larvae of the tomato looper Chrysodeixis chalcites. Treated larvae showed characteristic signs of precocious moulting within 12 h of treatment, leading to head capsule apolysis and cessation of feeding. Electron microscopic analysis of treated integument revealed a forced, untimely synthesis of a new (epi)cuticle via epidermal cell activation; however, normal procuticle secretion was interrupted since the large number of procuticular lamellae that normally appear in controls was conspicuously absent. Further, phenotypic changes of endocrine gland ultrastructure and that of the foregut epithelium and muscle organization were also observed. This compound appears to be a useful tool in endocrine research and in the control of lepidopteran pests. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:179–190, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call