Developmental changes caused by metyrapone and azadirachtin in Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep., Noctuidae) and Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lep., Pyralidae)

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and Galleria mellonella reared on standard laboratory food were used in experiments with metyrapone and azadirachtin. Metyrapone in S. littoralis caused high elevation of metabolic rate which resulted in a significant increase of body‐mass. This phenomenon was associated with precocious transformation to pupal stage. The same results were obtained after application of azadirachtin or neem oil. Restriction of reproduction was also observed in S. littoralis. Both these compounds influenced body pigmentation: the treated larvae was light green or light gray. Synthesis of melanin was inhibited. In Galleria mellonella, the effect was not as prominent.

This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit: