Antifeedant activity of fruit and seed extracts ofMelia azedarach andazadirachta indica on larvae ofSesamia nonagrioides

Methanolic extracts of seeds and fruits of the chinaberry tree,Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae), showed strong antifeedant activity against 2nd instar larvae ofSesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a very serious pest of maize(Zea mays L.) in Mediterranean countries. Extracts were applied in an artificial diet at concentrations of 1000 and 2000 ppm. The parameters used to evaluate the activity were larval growth rates; quantity of food ingested; phagodepression/phagostimulation index; quantity of frass produced; quantity of material ingested; duration of larval development; and cumulative mortality. Seed extract showed high bioactivity at both doses, while fruit extract proved to be less active, and only at the higher dose used (2000 ppm) did it display a slight antifeedant activity. The activity of theM. azedarach seed extract at the higher dose (2000 ppm) was comparable to that of pure azadirachtin applied at a dose of 1.25 ppm, or to ‘Mubel’, a commercial extract ofAzadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae), applied at a dose of 75 ppm.     

Effect of Melia azedarach extract on the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and cholinesterase in insects

The effect of Melia azedarach extract on the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and cholinesterase was studied in Spodoptera frugiperda. Larvae were fed an artificial diet containing fruit extract and their midgut was used for enzyme determination. As compared to the control, consumption of the extract containing diet resulted in a 31% inhibition of the cholinesterase activity and a 34% activation of the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. In the cockroach Leucophaea maderae, the effect on reductase activity was even more pronounced (43%).     

The ovicidal properties of the juvenile hormone mimic sumitomo S-31183 (SK-591) to insects

S-31183 was assayed against preimaginal stages of the tobacco whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), and eggs of the Egyptian cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). The compound was found to be an ovicide forB. tabaci eggs in both preinfestation and postinfestation treatments. FreshS. littoralis eggs were very susceptible to the compound at 0.05 ppm a.i., response was much poorer with 1-2-day-old eggs and 2-3-day-old eggs were not affected even by 100 ppm. Publication of the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 2271-E, 1988 series.     

Antifeedant activity of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach senescent leaf extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their potential use as synergists

BACKGROUND: To reduce rates of synthetic insecticide applications, natural product alternatives and synergists are needed. A study has been made of the toxicity of ethanolic senescent leaf extracts (SLEs) of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach on larvae of the noctuid pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Their effects as syngergists and inhibitors of several enzyme activities are also reported. RESULTS: When added to the diet, M. azedarach SLE showed lower toxicity than J. gossypifolia SLE. However, after 2 weeks on the diet, the M. azedarach SLE proved to be lethal to 100% of the larval population. Artificial diets with both SLEs have an antifeedant effect on armyworm larvae. Acute toxicity after topical application in a dipping assay was relatively low for both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs (LC₅₀ of 2.6 and 1.4 g L^?1, respectively, after 24 h). However, mixtures of the SLEs of M. azedarach and J. gossypifolia had a strong synergistic effect with cypermethrin. Synergism was higher with the J. gossypifolia SLE, perhaps because it contains several natural products with a methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. Both extracts inhibited P450, general esterase and acetylcholinesterase activities in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs are antifeedants to armyworm larvae when present in the food, and also have a synergistic effect with cypermethrin in topical assays. Although the synergistic effect is less than with piperonyl butoxide, both SLEs have some inhibitor activity against detoxification enzymes and acetylcholinesterase. Thus J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs may be considered as ecofriendly approaches for the control of S. frugiperda in order to reduce cypermethrin usage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of Melia azedarach on nutritional physiology and enzyme activities of the rice leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Laboratory assays were done to evaluate the effect of Melia azedarach L. (Rutales: Meliaceae) seed extract on nutritional indices and gut enzymes acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, adenosinetriphosphatases, and lactate dehydrogenase of the rice leaffolder (RLF) Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Larvae were fed a treated rice-leaf diet containing the seed extract and their midgut was used for enzyme determination. Laboratory experiments showed that the seed extract suppressed the larval activity of C. medinalis even at a low dose. Gross dietary utilization (efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food) of RLF decreased after ingesting the treated rice-leaf diet. Food consumption, digestion, relative consumption rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food, efficiency of conversion of digested food, and relative growth rate values declined significantly. As compared to the control, consumption of the extract containing rice-leaf diet resulted in a 69% reduction of the acid phosphatases activity, a 71% reduction of the alkaline phosphatases activity, a 46% reduction of the adenosine triphosphatases activity, and a 52% inhibition of the lactate dehydrogenase activity.     

Control of postharvest diseases of rambutan using controlled atmosphere storage and potassium metabisulphite or<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis>

Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides andGliocephalotrichum microchlamydosporum are the causal fungi of three rambutan postharvest diseases, stemend rot, anthracnose and brown spot, respectively. Two different treatments of rambutan fruits to control the diseases were investigated: application of potassium metabisulphite (250 ppm) or culture filtrate ofTrichoderma harzianum (TrH 40) followed by controlled atmosphere storage (CA) at 13.5°C and 95% r.h. Potassium metabisulphite at 250 ppm under CA effectively controlled the incidence and severity of the three postharvest diseases and maintained the eating quality and color of the fruit for 21 days. The greatest effect of this treatment was on brown spot disease, caused byG. microchlamydosporum. Application of TrH 40 was less effective than potassium metabisuphite. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 8, 2002.     

Systemic toxicity of spinosad to the greenhouse whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorum and to the cotton leaf wormSpodoptera littoralis

When spinosad was administered at the stem base of tomato plants grown in rockwool, the main substrate used in greenhouses in northern Europe, it was taken up by the roots and transported to the leaves. Laboratory toxicity experiments showed that systemically applied spinosad, at doses as low as 2 mg active ingredient per plant, gave excellent control of nymphs of the greenhouse whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorum, but was less toxic to adults. The toxicity of spinosad on Homoptera has not been documented yet and a dose-response relationship was established. The persistence of toxicity was at least 22 days for whitefly nymphs. A dose-response relationship of systemically applied spinosad was also determined on third-instar larvae of the cotton leaf wormSpodoptera littoralis; a dose of 5 mg per plant consistently killed all larvae. The persistence of systemically applied spinosad reached up to 45 days after treatment. Systemically applied spinosad was harmless to the parasitic waspEncarsia formosa. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 29, 2005.     

Elimination of in vitro bacterial contaminants in shoot cultures of ‘MRS 2/5’ plum hybrid by the use of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis> extracts

The antimicrobial activity of leaf and callus extracts of Melia azedarach was tested on in vitro shoot cultures of the peach rootstoch ‘MRS 2/5’ (Prunus cerasifera × Prunus spinosa) that were heavily contaminated with Sphingomonas paucimobilis (Sp) and Bacillus circulans (Bc). The extracts were filter-sterilised and added at 0%, 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% to a modified Murashige and Skoog proliferation medium previously autoclave-sterilised. Up to about 17% shoots died with 10–20% extract, except for Sp-contaminated shoots, whose survival was reduced to 50% after treatment with 20% extract. No shoots died with 1% to 5% supplement. The undiluted leaf extract showed bactericidal activity on plated Sp and Bc isolates. The homogenates of shoots randomly collected from treated cultures were processed for bacterial colony counting. Thus the 10% supplement was the best treatment for ridding Bc-contaminated cultures of bacteria (although 5% had a similar bactericidal effect), and allowing shoot growth and proliferation comparable to controls at the fifth subculture on a standard medium, while 20% extract was needed to eliminate Sp, and could induce higher growth and proliferation rates in surviving shoots than in untreated cultures. Callus extract was ineffective. The bactericidal activity of the leaf extract seemed attributable to a synergistic effect of azadirachtin with other unidentified compounds present in the extract.     

喜树碱对小菜蛾体内保幼激素及蜕皮激素滴度的影响

为明确喜树碱对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella生长发育的抑制作用及其机制,设置0.5、1.0、2.0mg/m L剂量处理其3龄幼虫,采用浸叶饲喂法和高效液相色谱法测定了喜树碱对小菜蛾体内蜕皮激素和保幼激素滴度的影响。结果显示,喜树碱各剂量处理均显著抑制了小菜蛾幼虫的生长发育,抑制率最高达到28.42%;各处理小菜蛾化蛹时间均延迟,异常蛹增多,羽化率降低;其中2.0 mg/m L处理后4 d其化蛹率为6.67%,对照组化蛹率为86.60%。0.5、1.0 mg/m L处理下,小菜蛾体内蜕皮激素滴度显著低于对照组,仅为对照组的0.06倍;而保幼激素滴度增加,分别可达到28.74mg/m L和36.29 mg/m L,是对照组的9倍左右。表明喜树碱可影响小菜蛾体内蜕皮激素和保幼激素的平衡,延迟和影响了小菜蛾的正常发育进程,可实现对小菜蛾种群的控制作用。     

Variability in response to toosendanin in a laboratory colony of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis>

Laboratory rearing of insects for scientific research ensures a constant supply of insects. However, laboratory colonies may diverge genetically and/or phenotypically from wild populations due to selection pressures in their artificial environment. This study examined how variation in a colony ofTrichoplusia ni influenced reproducibility over time of bioassays of toosendanin (a limonoid extracted from the bark ofMelia azedarach). In four of five experiments insect growth was reduced significantly (P=0.05) by the presence of toosendanin in the diet. The fifth experiment showed the same trend, but the effect was not significant. Mean larval mass of both control and treated insects also varied greatly among experiments. The considerable variability observed in this population highlights the importance of replicating experiments in time, and not just space, to confirm reproducibility of treatment effects. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 23, 2007.     

Effect of botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins on the gut enzyme of the rice leaffolderCnaphalocrocis medinalis

The effect of botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins on gut enzyme activity of larvae of the rice leaffolderCnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was investigated. Gut enzyme activities were affected by botanical insecticides and bacterial toxin individually and in combination. When fed a diet of rice leaves treated with botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins, in bioassays the activities of gut tissue enzymes — acid phosphatases (ACP), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and adenosine triphosphatases (ATPase) — of rice leaffolder larvae were affected. When combined, the effect was more severe at a low concentration. Larvae that were chronically exposed to botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins showed a reduction in weight (59–89%) and exhibited a significant reduction in ACP, ALP and ATPase activities. The combination ofBacillus thuringiensis kurstaki and botanical insecticides caused a decrease of twofold in enzyme activity even at reduced concentration. A synergistic effect was found when botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins were combined at low doses. These effects were most pronounced in early instars. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to enzyme activity. In conclusion: (i) biopesticides are relatively safe and biodegradable; (ii) a synergistic effect of botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins was found; (iii) less expensive, readily available and naturally occurring biopesticides could be an alternative for organic and inorganic pesticides in controlling RLF. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 28, 2004.     

转基因玉米表达的Cry1Ab、PAT和EPSPS蛋白对日本通草蛉幼虫的安全风险评估

为评价我国自主研发的转基因玉米表达的Cry1Ab、PAT和EPSPS蛋白对日本通草蛉Chrysoperla nipponensis幼虫生长发育的安全风险,通过将外源蛋白混入日本通草蛉人工饲料中的方法,以加入砷酸二氢钾(KH_2AsO_4)的饲料为阳性对照,研究了日本通草蛉幼虫取食后的生长发育状况。结果表明:日本通草蛉取食含Cry1Ab和EPSPS蛋白饲料的幼虫发育历期、茧期、结茧率、羽化率及成虫体重等生物学参数与取食正常饲料处理相比均没有显著差异;而取食含PAT蛋白饲料的幼虫发育历期和结茧率分别为10.7 d和96.6%,与取食正常饲料的对照11.1 d和89.9%差异显著,即饲料中添加PAT蛋白显著提高了幼虫的存活率和发育速率;取食含KH_2AsO_4饲料的日本通草蛉幼虫不能存活到茧期,说明KH_2AsO_4具有显著的杀虫活性。ELISA检测结果表明,取食了分别添加有3种外源蛋白饲料的日本通草蛉幼虫体内可以检测到相应的Cry1Ab、EPSPS和PAT蛋白,含量分别为2 758.8~5 210.7、35 018.0~54 426.6、16.8~149.8 ng/g。表明转基因玉米所表达的Cry1Ab、EPSPS和PAT蛋白对日本通草蛉幼虫没有显著的不利影响。     

Effect of Margosan-O on the development ofEarias insulana

The effect of Margosan-O, a formulation of a natural insecticide obtained from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), on the development of and the penetration rate of larvae of the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana (Boisd.), into cotton bolls was investigated by (i) incorporating Margosan-O into a semisynthetic diet and recording mortality until the adult stage; and (ii) spraying leaves and bolls with, or standing cotton seedlings or twigs of cotton with one boll per twig in aqueous dilutions of Margosan-O in an attempt to protect leaves or cotton bolls from feeding or penetration, respectively, by the larvae. Margosan-O was found to be effective when incorporated into the semisynthetic diet, even at low concentrations, especially when it was offered throughout the larval life span. Survival rate and average weight of the larvae were much lower on leaves treated with 0.5% or 0.2% Margosan-O, or exposed to its systemic effect at 0.5% or 0.25%, than on control leaves. Larval penetration into Margosan-O-sprayed bolls at concentrations of 0.01– 0.5% wasca 30–45% of that into control bolls. Margosan-O was active also as systemic treatment: onlyca 35% of the larvae penetrated the 0.25%-treated bolls compared with the untreated ones.     

丁布胁迫对亚洲玉米螟氧化还原系统的影响

为探明丁布胁迫对亚洲玉米螟氧化还原系统的影响,采用酶活力测定方法和实时荧光定量PCR技术,研究了取食丁布含量差异显著的3个玉米品种登海662、浚单20和隆玉602叶片及模拟其叶片丁布含量的人工饲料后,玉米螟3龄幼虫氧化还原系统主要酶活性和谷氧还蛋白(Grx)mRNA转录表达的变化。结果显示:取食3个玉米品种叶片24 h后,亚洲玉米螟幼虫过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性均显著高于对照,且在3个品种处理间差异显著,由大到小依次为登海662(118.30 U/mg和182.19 U/mg)、浚单20(107.13 U/mg和90.02 U/mg)和隆玉602(77.54 U/mg和93.59 U/mg)。取食浚单20可显著促进幼虫脂肪体Grx的表达,取食登海662可显著促进其中肠Grx的表达;取食模拟登海662叶片丁布含量的人工饲料12 h后,幼虫脂肪体中Grx表达量高于对应玉米叶片饲喂处理,而中肠部位则低于对应玉米叶片饲喂处理;取食模拟浚单20的结果与模拟登海662相反。表明亚洲玉米螟氧化还原系统在防御丁布胁迫过程中发挥着重要作用。     

Effects of diflubenzuron on the integument of fifth instar<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria mellonella</Emphasis> larvae

Effects of the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron (DFB) on the integument of 5th instarGalleria mellonella L. larvae were investigated. When larvae were fed with semi-artificial diets containing 250, 500 and 1000 ppm of the compound, DFB affected the integument. The affected larvae failed to ecdysis, their cuticle was ruptured, lost haemolymph and blackened. In treated larvae, cuticle deposition was disrupted and the cuticle thickness was decreased by ∼50% compared with the untreated control, particularly at day 3 1/2. However, statistically there was no significant difference among the three concentrations (P>0.05). This may indicate that all three concentrations are equally effective in decreasing level. DFB at 500 and 1000 ppm also affected the epidermal cells and caused the occurrence of vacuoles. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 16, 2003.     

A juvenile hormone analog, pyriproxifen, affects some biochemical components in the hemolymph and fat bodies of Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae)

Endocrine system has a critical role during the developmental stages of insects by synthesis of several regulatory hormones. One of these hormones is juvenile hormone that several insecticides have been driven based on its biochemical structure e.g. pyriproxifen. Due to various disadvantages of fenitrothione spraying, this study was carried out finding the possible usage of pyriproxifen to control the destructive population of Eurygaster integriceps. After bioassay treatments to acquire the appropriate concentrations, the treatment repeated to find possible changes in the biochemical compounds of hemolymph and reserved macromolecules in fat bodies. Results showed significant discrepancies in amount of biochemical components of the hemolymph and the reserved macromolecules in E. integriceps after pyriproxifen treatment. In hemolymph, activity level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase as enzymatic components and uric acid as non-enzymatic one increased but acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, protein, trehalose and lipid showed adverse results. In fat bodies, the amount of all measured reserves including glycogen, lipid and protein decreased and showed significant differences. These kinds of changes have been supported by several studies due to using insecticides. These negative effects on overall physiology of the Sunn pest by depleting the essential compounds cause sensitivity to fungal infections and several shortages for normal development and reproduction of insect. Also, the adaptability of pyriproxifen to increase the effect of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, should be considered to initiate a new pest management program to decrease the production loss made by E. integriceps in wheat fields.     

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.     

Biological, biochemical, and molecular parameters of Helisoma duryi snails exposed to the pesticides Malathion and Deltamethrin

Aquatic environments get contaminated with pesticides residues that result from the application of pesticides in agricultural practices. The present study aimed to evaluate the pesticides Malathion and Deltamethrin on biological and biochemical parameters of Helisoma duryi snails. The results showed that LC₁₀ of the two pesticides caused considerable reduction in survival rates and egg production of treated snails. Glucose concentration in hemolymph of the exposed snails showed a significant increase. On the other hand, albumin in hemolymph and glycogen contents as well as the activities of enzymes in tissues of snails including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), arginase, and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) were significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, the activity of AMP deaminase of the exposed snails was significantly increased in the hemolymph in response to treatment. The electrophoretic pattern of total protein showed differences in number and molecular weights of protein bands. DNA concentration was investigated by measuring the intensity of the genomic bands and its showed its increase in the treated snails. It was concluded that the residues of Malathion and Deltamethrin pesticides in aquatic environments have toxic effects on non-target organism, e.g. H. duryi snails.     

Comparative studies on acylurea insect growth regulators and neuroactive insecticides for the control of the armyworm Spodoptera exempta walk

Leaf-dip bioassays with commercial pesticide formulations were used throughout this study. Third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis were bioassayed for comparative purposes. The end-point mortality against the third-instar larvae (L3) of two Spodoptera exempta populations (Bangor and Gent) and a S. littoralis population (NRI) was found to occur at 72 h and 120 h for neuroactive compounds (carbamate, organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides) and acylureas respectively. Overall, the acylureas were found to be more toxic (up to 240-fold at the LC₅₀ level) than the most active of the neuroactive compounds tested, the pyrethroids. This difference was greatest against S. littoralis, which was markedly less sensitive to the latter compounds. The Gent population of S. exempta was also found to be significantly less sensitive (7-folt at LC₅₀) to the pyrethroid, lambda-cyhalothrin, than the Bangor strain. Two of the most toxic neuroactive and non-neuroactive compounds, the pyrethroid, cypermethrin and the acylurea, teflubenzuron were chosen for further studies with S. exempta (Gent) and S. littoralis. Relatively little difference in the toxicity of teflubenzuron was observed against different larval instars (L2, L3 and L4) of S. exempta when compared with cypermethrin. Choice-chamber-experiments on feeding behaviour showed that when L3 larvae of either species were exposed to both treated and untreated leaves. teflubenzuron had no significant effect on larval distribution, the percentage of each leaf disc consumed or larval weight gain when compared with untreated controls. In contrast, a marked dose-dependent repellent response to cypermethrin-treated leaves was shown by S. littralis after 6 h. together with corresponding reductions in the percentage of the treated leaf consumed and in larval weight gain. Similarly, when L3 S. exempta were exposed only to pesticidetreated leaves, cypermethrin significantly reduced premoult larval weight gain, whereas tefiubenzuron had no premoult effect. However, following exposure of L3 S. exempta and S. littoralis to teflubenzuron for 48 h prior to moulting, L4 which survived the moult showed reduced weight gain compared with controls, the reduction being more pronounced on maize than on artificial diet. This antifeedant effect increased in proportion to the concentration of teflubenzuron originally administered. The effect of exposure time to teflubenzuron was examined by placing L3 S. exempta and S. littoralis on leaves treated with the approximate LC₅₀ or LC₉₅ dose for 6–48 h. The exposure time required to produce appreciable mortality (relative to LC values) within the treated population was found to be 24 h.