Sublethal effects of insect growth regulators upon crab larval behavior

Abstract

Both swimming speeds and phototaxis by the four larval stages of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii were monitored upon chronic exposure to sublethal concentrations of the insect growth regulators methroprene (AltosidR: ZR-515), hydroprene (AltozarR: ZR-512) and dimiline (TH-6040). Larvae were reared under conditions of salinity (20orbo) and temperature (25°C) which produce the greatest developmental success. Sublethal concentrations of methroprene had no effect on swimming rates or phototaxis as compared to the acetone control larvae. For hydroprene, swimming rates by stage I, II and III zoeae were unaffected while a significant increase in swimming speeds occurred in Stage IV zoeae exposed to concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 ppm. Only Stage III zoeae exposed to 0.l ppm showed a significant decrease in the level of positive phototaxis. Dimilin was much more potent, as significant increases in swimming speeds occurred in Stage I, II and III zoeae, with 0.3 ppb being the lowest effective concentration. Although swimming by Stage IV zoeae was unaffected, phototaxis was altered at concentrations as low as 0.1 ppb. Concentrations, which alter behavior, are related to levels which are reported to control mosquitoe larvae.