The uptake, excretion and metabolism of the acylurea insecticide, flufenoxuron in spodoptera littoralis larvae, by feeding and topical application

Abstract

AbstractFlufenoxuron is an acylurea insecticide which inhibits chitin synthesis. Its uptake, excretion and metabolism in larvae of Spodoptera littoralis have been measured. Larvae fed on a leaf disc sprayed at an application rate equivalent to 50 g ha−1rapidly absorbed a maximum of 20% of ingested flufenoxuron, the remainder being voided in the frass. Excretion of absorbed compound was slow, with a 50% excretion time of approximately 20 h. Flufenoxuron was equally effective as an insecticide by topical application or ingestion. Following topical application, a total of 11% of the dose had penetrated into the body within 24 h. Of this 11%, half had travelled to the gut so that the rest of the body tissues contained no more than 6% of the toxicant dose. The concentration of flufenoxuron in the body tissues was maintained for at least 24 h, the surface residue probably acting as a reservoir. The compound was metabolically quite stable. Following topical application the 6 % of the applied dose which was absorbed into the body was still 92% as unchanged flufenoxuron 24 h after application. The enhanced toxicity of flufenoxuron to S. littoralis compared with earlier acylureas can probably be attributed to its slower metabolism and reduced excretion.