Egg-sterilizing effect of benzoylphenylureasvia the adult stage of the nitidulid beetleCarpophilus hemipterus

The effect of a 24-h exposure of adults ofCarpophilus hemipterus to artificial diets treated on the surface with different concentrations of benzoylphenylureas, on the hatchability of eggs laid during the subsequent 14 days, was investigated. The order of persistence of sterilization at 5 ppm was chlorfluazuron (IKI-7899), 12 days > XRD-473, 10 days > diflubenzuron, 6 days > teflubenzuron (CME 134), 4 days. Three of the substances (chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron and teflubenzuron) had no direct ovicidal effect whenC. hemipterus eggs were dipped in 1000 ppm dilutions, but the larvae that hatched from the treatments died within 2 days.     

The effect of some benzoyl phenylureas on the larvae of earias insulana

Diflubenzuron, PH 60-38, PH 6043, penfluron (PH 60-44), PH 6045, triflumuron, chlorfuazuron (IKI-7899), teflubenzuron (CME 134), XRD473 and Dowco 439 were tested for their efficacy against the larvae of the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana (Boisd.), in laboratory experiments. The compounds were incorporated at different concentrations in an artificial diet and 5-day-old larvae were introduced and grown on the treated diets until pupation and adult emergence. Teflubenzuron was active at 0.1 ppm, chlorfuazuron at 0.75 ppm and PH 60-38 at 10 ppm; triflumuron and diflubenzuron were active only at 50 ppm; all the rest of the compounds were even less active. When cotton bolls were dipped in teflubenzuron and offered to 6-day-old larvae in the laboratory, only 4% and 10% of the larvae penetrated inside the bolls treated with 50 and 25 ppm a.i., respectively, whereas 68% penetrated inside untreated bolls.     

The antifeedant effect of some new withanolides on three insect species,spodoptera littoralis,epilachna varivestis andtribolium castaneum

The antifeedant effect of several new withanolides on larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis, Epilachna varivestis andTribolium castaneum was investigated. 2,3-Dihydrowithanolide E (II) was an antifeedant forS. littoralis andE. varivestis; nicalbin A (XIV), and a mixture of withanicandrin (IX) and daturalactone A (X), were active against E. varivestis andT. castaneum. Some activity was shown by 6β,14α,17β,20α_F-tetrahydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,4,24-trienolide (V) againstS. littoralis; 4β,5β-epoxy-6α,14α,17β,20α_F-tetrahydroxy-l-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (VII) againstE. varivestis andT. castaneum; 5α,6α,-epoxy-14α,17β,20α_F-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (VI) againstE. varivestis; and nicalbin B (XV) againstT. castaneum.     

The effect of BAY SIR 8514 onspodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) eggs and larvae

The chitin biosynthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron and its analog BAY SIR 8514 are equitoxic for eggs ofSpodoptera littoralis. BAY SIR 8514 residues on alfalfa fed toSpodoptera larvae were more toxic than diflubenzuron residues, whereas BAY SIR 8514 topically applied to these larvae was consistently twice as toxic as diflubenzuron, according to different criteria.     

The residual contact toxicity of bay sir 8514 toSpodoptera littoralis larvae

The contact effect of residues on glass of the chitin synthesis inhibitor BAY SIR 8514 againstSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae was investigated and probitlog dosage curves were established. The ED₅₀ for cumulative mortality up to the adult stage was 0.0017 g/m² for 100-mg and 0.004 g/m² for 200-mg larvae. The toxicity of BAY SIR 8514 through this route of administration was considerably higher than that of diflubenzuron found in previous work.     

The effect of CME 134 onSpodoptera Littoralis Eggs and larvae

CME 134, a new benzoylphenyl urea chitin synthesis inhibitor, was less active than diflubenzuron and BAY SIR 8514, when tested againstSpodoptera littoralis eggs by a dipping method. AgainstS. littoralis larvae the compound was tested by feeding treated alfalfa, topical application and contact with crystalline residues on glass, followed by observation until the adult stage. With both 200–250 and 360–440-mg larvae 100% mortality was obtained by one-day feeding of alfalfa treated with 0.15 ppm a.i. Topical application to 100- and 200-mg larvae showed CME 134 to be about five and nine times more active than BAY SIR 8514 and diflubenzuron, respectively. These differences were even much greater in the contact tests. Cotton field plots were sprayed with either CME 134 or diflubenzuron formulations, leaves were collected at different intervals and fed for one day toS. littoralis larvae in the laboratory. 0.0009% a.i. CME 134 residues gave complete kill of 30–50-mg larvae after 5 and 20 days, and 86% kill after 28 days of aging. With 0.003 and 0.009% a.i., complete kill was obtained in 200–250-mg larvae until 50 days after spraying.     

Toxicity of the chitin synthesis inhibitors,diflubenzuron and its dichloro-analogue,to Spodoptera littoralis larvae

The activities of the chitin synthesis inhibitors, diflubenzuron and PH 60–38, against Spodoptera littoralis larvae were assayed by feeding treated alfalfa or poisoned wheat bran baits, by allowing the larvae to imbibe sucrose-containing aqueous dispersions of the compounds, and by injection into larvae. PH 60–38 was less active than diflubenzuron. On alfalfa, diflubenzuron had to be fed for at least 2 days to prevent formation of normal pupae and emergence of adults. For very big (480–540 mg) larvae, feeding diflubenzuron at concentrations of 50 mg/litre for 2 days or 2.5 mg/litre for 3 days prevented adult emergence. For 200–250 mg larvae, this was achieved by feeding concentrations of 100 mg/litre for 2 days, 5 mg/litre for 3 days or 3.5 mg/litre for 4 days. In all larvae > 150 mg, mortality in feeding experiments occurred in the prepupal or the pupal stage. Only with 30–50 mg and 100–150 mg larvae was there considerable mortality during moults between larval instars, the larvae being unable to liberate themselves from the old larval skins and head capsules. Diflubenzuron incorporated into wheat bran baits at concentrations of from 2.5 to 10 000 μg/g killed approximately 70–90% of the insects. When imbibed, diflubenzuron was much less toxic as a wettable powder than as a liquid formulation but the two formulations were equitoxic when injected into the larvae.     

Contact activity of diflubenzuron against Spodoptera littoralis larvae

The effect of diflubenzuron as a residue on glass or applied topically to Spodoptera littoralis larvae was investigated. Diflubenzuron was active as a residue on glass against 100 and 200 mg larvae; the toxicity of residues was identical whether a dispersable formulation or a wettable powder or the technical substance were used. By topical application, diflubenzuron had an ED₅₀ for cumulative percentage mortality up to the adult stage of 004 and 0066 μg/larva for 100 and 200mg larvae respectively. Neither the site of the topical application nor whether the larvae were kept singly or in groups of ten after the treatment had an influence on toxicity. The data indicate that diflubenzuron has contact toxicity to at least one insect species as well as the known stomach poison action.     

Mechanisms of resistance to diflubenzuron in the house fly, Musca domestica (L.)

The mechanisms of resistance to the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron were investigated in a diflubenzuron-selected strain of the house fly (Musca domestica L.) with > 1000 × resistance, and in an OMS-12-selected strain [O-ethyl O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)phosphoramidothioate] with 380 × resistance to diflubenzuron. In agreement with the accepted mode of action of diflubenzuron, chitin synthesis was reduced less in larvae of the resistant (R) than of a susceptible (S) strain. Cuticular penetration of diflubenzuron into larvae of the R strains was about half that of the S. Both piperonyl butoxide and sesamex synergized diflubenzuron markedly in the R strains, indicating that mixed-function oxidase enzymes play a major role in resistance. Limited synergism by DEF (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate) and diethylmaleate indicated that esterases and glutathione-dependent transferases play a relatively small role in resistance. Larvae of the S and R strains exhibited a similar pattern of in vivo cleavage of ³H- and ¹⁴C-labeled diflubenzuron at N₁C₂ and N₁C₁ bonds. However, there were marked differences in the amounts of major metabolites produced: R larvae metabolized diflubenzuron at considerably higher rates, resulting in 18-fold lower accumulation of unmetabolized diflubenzuron by comparison with S larvae. Polar metabolites were excreted at a 2-fold higher rate by R larvae. The high levels of resistance to diflubenzuron in R-Diflubenzuron and R-OMS-12 larvae are due to the combined effect of reduced cuticular penetration, increased metabolism, and rapid excretion of the chemical.     

Effect of diflubenzuron on growth and carbohydrate hydrolases ofTribolium castaneum

The potency of diflubenzuron is much greater in inhibiting growth and development of 1st instar larvae ofTribolium castaneum than of 4th instar larvae, as expressed by death at the apolytic stage and retardation of larval development. A dose-dependent decrease in the activity of trehalase, invertase and amylase was obtainedin vivo with the increase in diflubenzuron concentration. At 5 ppm dietary concentration, a reduction of 37 and 27% in invertase and trehalase activity, respectively, was obtained in 4th instar larvae fed for 3 days on treated diet. The amylase activity was affected to a lesser extent. The observed disturbances of trehalase activity might hamper the supply of glucose needed for chitin build-up and those of invertase and amylase activity might affect feeding. Diflubenzuron does not inhibit these enzymesin vitro; hence, thein vivo effect seems to result from general disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism.     

The inhibition of chitin synthesis in spodoptera littoralis larvae by flufenoxuron,teflubenzuron and diflubenzuron

The chitin precursor [¹⁴C] N-acetylglucosamine injected into the haemolymph of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larva was incorporated into the chitin exponentially with time. When caterpillars were injected with precursor at the commencement of feeding on acylurea-treated leaf discs, flufenoxuron, teflubenzuron and diflubenzuron were found to be equally effective inhibitors of chitin synthesis, measured after 21 h. The dose response curves by feeding are not parallel, indicating that the relative potency of the compounds will vary across the dose range. When chitin precursor was injected simultaneously with topically applied diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron or teflubenzuron, all three acylureas were found to be equally effective as inhibitors of chitin synthesis when measured after five hours. The I₅₀values (50% inhibition of chitin synthesis) were not significantly different; average 600 ng, compared with LD₅₀values (50% lethal dose) of ～ 13 ng for flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron but 130 ng for diflubenzuron (topical application). Injection of precursor 24 h after topical application of insecticide gave an I₅₀value which had dropped 670- and 150-fold for flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron respectively but only 20-fold for diflubenzuron. It is postulated that the reason for the low increase in diflubenzuron effectiveness with time was due either to less diflubenzuron than flufenoxuron reaching the site of action, or more probably, a faster rate of metabolism and excretion for diflubenzuron. The lower toxicity of diflubenzuron compared with flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron may not be due to any inherent differences in biochemical effectiveness, but rather to different penetration/metabolism properties.     

Response ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) andEarias insulana (Boisd.) larvae to azadirachtin and salannin

The effect of azadirachtin and salannin, two triterpenoids isolated from seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), on the feeding response ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) andEarias insulana (Boisd.) larvae, was investigated. Styropor (foamed polystyrene) lamellae were painted on both sides with a mixture of 5% sucrose with different concentrations of either azadirachtin or salannin dissoled in methanol-water (3∶7). Azadirachtin strongly suppressed feeding inS. littoralis larvae even at 0.001%, whereas salannin showed some antifeedant activity at 0.005% and above. Larvae ofE. insulana were deterred from feeding on azadirachtin-treated lamellae even at 0.005%, whereas salannin was effective only at 0.01% and above. Azadirachtin applied on cotton leaves deterred larvae ofS. littoralis from feeding at all concentrations ranging between 0.001 and 0.02%.     

The joint action of mixtures of insecticides,or of insect growth regulators and insecticides,on susceptible and diflubenzuron-resistant strains of Spodoptera littoralis boisd

The joint action of insecticides, or of mixtures of insect growth regulators and insecticides, on the susceptible (S) strain and diflubenzuron-resistant (R_d) strain of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. was investigated. The joint action of the insecticides and/or insect growth regulator mixtures was determined by mixing them in proportion to their activity equivalents at the LD₂₅ or ED₂₅ levels. A total of 15 mixtures of two synthetic pyrethroids, two organophosphorus, one carbamate and one organochlorine insecticides, were applied to the fourth-instar larvae of the S and R_d strains. The insecticide mixtures cypermethrin/methomyl and cypermethrin/endrin exhibited high and moderate levels of synergism on the S strain, respectively. However the mixtures chlorpyrifos/methomyl, phosfolan/methomyl, and phosfolan/endrin produced antagonism, while the other mixtures showed varying levels of additive effects. The response of the fourth-instar larvae of the S strain, to the joint action of diflubenzuron/juvenoid, diflubenzuron/insecticide, or insecticide/juvenoid mixtures, revealed that diflubenzuron produced high levels of synergism when combined with methoprene and progressively less with fenvalerate, methomyl and cypermethrin. On the other hand, the mixture diflubenzuron/triprene was antagonistic. Fenvalerate with the two juvenoids produced synergism while methomyl showed an additive effect with methoprene. However, the mixtures cypermethrin/methoprene, cypermethrin/triprene and methomyl/triprene produced antagonism. The mixtures that produced potentiation on the fourth-instar larvae of the S strain lost their high potency when tested against the R_d strain. The results also indicated that insecticide/juvenoid mixtures, when applied on 2-day-old pupae of the S strain, were synergistic, except in the case of cypermethrin/methoprene and methomyl/triprene mixtures, for which additive effects were observed. When the mixtures that had synergistic effects on the S strain were tested on the R_d strain, the results revealed that their synergistic effects were apparently reduced. This was attributed to the fact that the generalised levels of tolerance in the R_d strain towards various compounds may have influenced the several defence mechanisms to act against the synergistic action of the chemical mixtures.     

Withanolides and related ergostane-type steroids as antifeedants for larvae ofEpilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Eight steroids isolated from solanaceous plants (Physalis, Withania andNicandra species) were investigated as to their antifeedant efficacy for L₄ larvae ofEpilachna varivestis Muls. (Coleoptera). Nicalbin A (VII) was a potent antifeedant, but at high concentrations it was also toxic to this insect. Other active compounds were withanolide E (I), 4β-hydroxywithanolide E (II), 5β, 6β-epoxy-1β, 14α, 17β, 20α-tetrahydroxywith-24-enolide (III), Nic-1 (nicandrenone, VI) and nicalbin B (VIII). These results were quite different from the spectrum of activity of the withanolides against larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera) found in a previous study.     

Flufenoxuron, an acylurea insect growth regulator, alters development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) by modulating levels of chitin, soluble protein content, and HSP70 and p34 in the larval tissues

The effect of sublethal concentrations, 0.00141% (LC₂₀), 0.00251% (LC₃₀), and 0.0036% (LC₄₀) of a dispersible formulation of an acylurea insect growth regulator, flufenoxuron (Cascade) on certain biochemical parameters in the larvae of Tribolium castaneum was investigated. When neonates were fed on diet treated with sublethal concentrations for 24 h, it was observed that at all concentrations tested, there was a significant reduction in chitin content on the 15th day of development. Total soluble protein content at LC₂₀ and LC₃₀ decreased with increasing age of the larvae. At LC₂₀ and LC₄₀ concentrations there was a progressive increase in the protein: chitin ratio as a function of increase in age of the larvae. SDS-PAGE analysis of the larval tissue extracts indicated gross quantitative changes in some of the protein bands (MW 50-97 kDa). Western blot analysis revealed significant increase in the level of HSP70 in the extracts of larvae fed on LC₃₀ treated diet, on the 7th and 10th day of development in the decreasing order. Conversely, a significant decrease in the hyper-phosphorylated form of p34^cdc2 kinase due to flufenoxuron treatment indicating modulation of cell cycle regulation was observed. Thus, sublethal concentrations of flufenoxuron alter expression of developmentally regulated proteins, HSP70 and p34^cdc2 and chitin formation in a stage-specific manner thereby resulting developmental abnormalities in T. castaneum.     

Toxicity and biochemical study of two insect growth regulators, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen, on cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis

Lethal and sublethal effects of two insect growth regulators (IGRs) buprofezin and pyriproxyfen were evaluated on larvae of cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. Activity of chitinase and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in surviving larvae after treatment was carried out in order to investigate the biochemical influences of these compounds. The compounds were low toxic against the larvae at 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0-fold of the field application rate. However, the overall mortalities within 6 days of feeding at 2.0-fold were 46.67% and 100% for buprofezin and pyriproxyfen, respectively. Larval weight gain was considerably decreased as concentration increased. Pyriproxyfen showed high antifeedant activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and larvae stopped to eat from the third day with high dose. Conversely, buprofezin did not significantly show antifeedant except with high concentration (3000 mg (a.i.)/kg diet) that gave 80.68%. The high doses of both compounds showed adverse effects on pupae, and emergence of adults. Buprofezin at the recommended dose (1500 mg (a.i.)/kg diet) caused 93.33% pupation and 53.33% emergence of adults. Otherwise, pyriproxyfen caused 21.33% pupation and zere emergence of adults at the recommended dose (75 mg (a.i.)/kg diet) compared to 100% pupation, and 96.30% emergence of adults in the control. Both compounds varied in their influences on chitinase and PPO activity, and these enzymes could have relation with toxicity of buprofezin and pyriproxyfen against S. littoralis larvae.     

Comparative toxicity of two ecdysteroid agonists,RH-2485 and RH-5992, on susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant strains of the Egyptian cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis

The comparative toxicity of two non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonists, RH-2485 and RH-5992 (tebufenozide), on development stages, fecundity and egg viability of a susceptible laboratory strain and a pyrethroid-resistant field strain ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) was evaluated. Taking the LC₅₀s as the criterion, RH-2485 was 3–7-fold more potent than RH-5992 against the susceptible and 7–14-fold more against the field strain. The LC₅₀ of RH-2485 in the 1st and 6th instars of the susceptible strain was 0.32 and 0.57 mg a.i./l, respectively. The field strain showed a mild cross-resistance of about threefold to both compounds in 1st instars and to a lesser extent in 6th instars. A considerable increase in fecundity (~3-fold) and no effect on egg viability was observed when 6th instars were fed on cotton leaves treated with 0.25 mg a.i./l RH-2485 (~LC₄₀). Our results indicate that both compounds are potentially potent insecticides for controllingS. littoralis larvae, being 10-60-fold more potent than a previous ecdysteroid agonist, RH-5849.     

Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid: A naturally occurring inhibitor ofSpodoptera littoralis (boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ruscus hypoglossum andUrginea maritima (Liliaceae) are highly resistant toSpodoptera littoralis. The foliage of these plants contains a proline analog, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZA): inUrginea at a concentration of 1.7% of fresh weight and inRuscus at a concentration of 0.019%. The concentration of AZA inUrginea accounts for its lethal effects onS. littoralis larvae and for the direct effect of an acetone-soluble 80% methanol extract on adultS. littoralis, as evidenced by reduced viability of eggs deposited. The toxicity ofRuscus extracts is only partly attributable to AZA content.     

Studies of the susceptibility of the cotton leafworm,spodoptera littoralis (boisduval), to various strains ofbacillus thuringiensis

The effect of ten different laboratory strains ofBacillus thuringiensis and of the thermostable exotoxin, was tested on larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis Boisduval. Endotoxin poisoning was not observed and whenever mortality rose substantially above the controls, it seemed due to the thermostable exotoxin and not to the parasporal crystal. Treatment of a commercial preparation with substances dissolving the crystal did not elicit acute toxemia, nor did abrasives administered with this preparation bring about fulminating septicemia.