WITHDRAWN: Effect of photoperiod on larval development of Spodoptera litura maintained on diet supplemented with melatonin and luzindole treatments

Abstract

Abstract Long term exposure of synthetic chemicals has raised insect resistance in the field and increased alarm in finding alternative tools to control this pest. More importantly, Spodoptera litura Fab. feeds more than 120 host species and is one of the most damaging agricultural pest mostly in Southeast Asian countries. Photoperiod is an important environmental factor which affects the larval development and reproduction. Thus the present study emphasis the developmental and reproductive effects of different photoperiod developing individuals in a cohort with response to melatonin and luzindole treatment against S. litura. The total developmental duration reveals that 0: 24 melatonin treatment showed longest duration as compared with control and luzindole treatments. Correspondingly, The highest body mass development at 0 L:24D photoperiod as compared with other photoperiod and treatments. The reproductive assays revealed that adults were shows in highest ratio in 8:16 photoperiod in adult Longevity fecundity and egg hatchability in melatonin treatment as compared with control. Similarly, histology of treated S. litura larvae in 12L: 12D photoperiod showed significant morphological and cellular damage of the epithelial columnar cells and lumen cells as compared with control. Thus as an endnote the present investigation reveals that melatonin induces significant alterations in developmental and reproductive rate of tobacco cutworm.