Fenoxycarb Effects 7th instar Galleria mellonella Larvae by Triggering Extra Larval Stages

Abstract

Insect growth regulators are specific chemicals with hormonal effects on insects and these types of chemicals target to reduce the nonspecific effects of pesticides on nature and living things. In this study, we investigated the effects of one of the insect growth regulators, fenoxycarb which mimics the juvenile hormone action, on the growth of a harmful lepidopteran species Galleria mellonella, and it’s some developmental parameters. For this purpose, fenoxycarb was applied on day 0 of 7th instar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. The treatment with 100 ng fenoxycarb had no developmental effect on Galleria mellonella larvae. The treatment with relatively high doses of fenoxycarb on day 0 induced the supernumerary larvae formation of 99% and larvae which molted extra larval instar formed healthy pupae in the ratio of 98-99%. Consequently, the effects of fenoxycarb on Galleria mellonella larvae occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Although fenoxycarb is a potent insect growth regulator, late Galleria mellonella larvae are not susceptible to this chemical, unlike some other Lepidopter insect species.