Lufenuron, a chitin-synthesis inhibitor, interrupts development ofDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The chitin‐synthesis inhibitor lufenuron was administered to Drosophila melanogaster to better understand the effects of chitin‐synthesis interruption during the development and reproduction of this insect. When larvae were fed a diet containing a low concentration (<1 ppm) of lufenuron, mortality was observed during either larval or pupal development, depending on the dose. Survivor adults were unable to fly, probably due to abnormal cuticular development in the wing hinge regions of the thorax. Larvae fed a higher concentration (10 ppm) completed development within that instar, but died during ecdysis to the next instar, presumably due to inadequate cuticle synthesis. Third instar larvae pupariated, but the puparium was abnormal, and pupation did not occur. Adults fed 10 ppm showed normal viability but slightly depressed oogenesis; additionally, although their eggs were fertilized, they failed to hatch. Examination of the embryos showed that they completed development but were unable to perforate the surrounding vitelline membrane, probably due to a weakened chitinous mouth hook assembly that was insufficiently rigid to effect hatching. These results identify stages during D. melanogaster development when chitin synthesis and deposition are critical. This information will be useful for identifying chitin‐synthesis mutants of this insect. J. Exp. Zool. 278:37–44, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Effect of sublethal doses of abamectin on demographic traits of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

“…According to these results, abamectin was able to change hatchability of the T. absoluta. As in our research, Wilson and Cryan (1997) revealed that lufenuron, reduced the hatchability of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Consoli et al (2001) found that the survival rate of Trichogramma galloi (Zucchi, 1988) (Hym.…”

Effects of sublethal doses of beta-cyfluthrin on mutant Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…Kumar and Chapman (1984) reported similar results after using permethrin, fenvalerate, methamidophos and carbaryl against Plutella xylostella. The observed reduction in egg hatching may be due to inability of the embryos to perforate the surrounding vitelline membrane, probably due to a weakened chitinous mouth hook assembly required for hatching (Wilson and Cryan, 1997). A decline in egg hatching was observed in Culex pipiens after exposure of adults to low dosages of alphacypermethrin by Zhang et al (1990).…”

Insecticidal properties of bistrifluron against sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

“…30) Lufenuron effectively decreased the adult population. 26) Diflubenzuron reduced the fecundity of the bean bug, R. clavatus, when treated with diflubenzuron at the developmental larval stage. 31) Bistrifluron decreased the fecundity of the cotton caterpillar, P. indica, when treated at the larval stage.…”

“…26) Susceptibility to diflubenzuron was reported to decrease as the stage developed, 21) but did not show significant differences in the case of bistrifluron in the present study. This has been confirmed by other many researchers.…”

“…It was reported that lufenuron did not have any effect on adult longevity and reproduction in D. melanogaster 26) ; however, flufenoxuron decreased larval weight and the emergence rate of Tribolium castaneum at a sublethal dose. 28) Although the exact mode of insecticidal action between these chemicals remains unknown, further study is needed.…”