Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Uptake and distribution of three insect growth regulators — diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron and halofenozide — in pupae and adults ofTenebrio molitor

  • Entomology
  • Published:
Phytoparasitica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a topical bioassay with pupae and adults of the mealwormTenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), an important pest in stored products worldwide, three insect growth inhibitors (IGRs) were tested: the two chitin synthesis inhibitors diflubenzuron and flucycloxuron, and the ecdysone agonist halofenozide (RH-0345). To address differences in toxicity, we determined with the use of a14C-labeled isotope, the pattern of absorption through the cuticle and then the distribution in the different body tissues of gut, hemolymph, integument and reproductive organs (ovaries, testis). The rate of absorption through the cuticle was highest for flucycloxuron, and this concurred with its high toxicity. In general, the patterns of absorption followed a similar trend in young and old pupae and in the adult stage. Accumulation in the reproductive system of females and males was relatively high, which may explain the strong reproductive effects of the IGRs tested. In addition, we recorded large differences in the clearance of insecticide from the insect bodyvia the excrements, with the chitin synthesis inhibitors exhibiting higher rates than halofenozide.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Carlson, G.R., Dhadialla, T.S., Hunter, R., Jansson, R.K., Jany, C.S., Lidert, Z.et al. (2001) The chemical and biological properties of methoxyfenozide, a new insecticidal ecdysteroid agonist.Pest Manag. Sci. 57:115–119.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Dhadialla, T.S., Carlson, G.R. and Le, D.P. (1998) New insecticides with ecdysteroidal and juvenile hormone activity.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 43:545–569.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dhadialla, T.S., Retnakaran, A. and Smagghe, G. (2005) Insect growth and development disrupting insecticides.in: Gilbert, L.I., Kostas, I. and Gill, S. [Eds.] Comprehensive Insect Molecular Science. Vol. 6. Pergamon Press, New York, NY. pp. 55–116.

    Google Scholar 

  4. El-Saidy, M.F., Auda, M. and Degheele, D. (1989) Detoxification mechanisms of diflubenzuron and teflubenzuron in the larvae ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisd.).Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 35:211–222.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Farinos, G., Smagghe, G., Tirry, L. and Castañera, P. (1999) Action and pharmacokinetics of a novel insect growth regulator, halofenozide, in adult beetles ofAubeonymus mariaefranciscae andLeptinotarsa decemlineata.Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 41:201–213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ishaaya, I. (1990) Benzoylphenyl ureas and other selective control agents — mechanism and application.in: Casida, J.E. [Ed.] Pesticides and Alternatives. Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. pp. 365–376.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Jordan, A.M. and Trewern, M.A. (1978) Larvicidal activity of diflubenzuron in the tsetse fly.Nature 272:719–720.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Medina, P., Smagghe, G., Budia, F., Del Estal, P., Tirry, L. and Viñuela, E. (2002) Significance of penetration, excretion, and transovarial uptake to toxicity of three insect growth regulators in predatory lacewing adults.Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 51:91–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Medina, P., Smagghe, G., Budia, F., Tirry, L. and Viñuela, E. (2003) Toxicity and absorption of azadirachtin, diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen, and tebufenozide after topical application in predatory larvae ofChrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).Environ. Entomol. 32:196–203.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Nakagawa, Y., Smagghe, G., Kuhimiya, S., Hattori, K., Ueno, T., Tirry, L.et al. (1999) Quantitative structure-activity analysis of insect growth regulators: XVI. Substituent effects of dibenzoylhydrazines on the insecticidal activity to Colorado potato beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineata.Pestic. Sci. 55:909–918.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Neumann, R. and Guyer, W. (1983) A new chitin synthesis inhibitor CGA 112’913: its biochemical mode of action as compared to diflubenzuron.Proc. 10th Int. Congr. Plant Protection (Brighton, UK), vol. 1, pp. 445–451.

  12. Oikawa, N., Nakagawa, Y., Nishimura, K., Ueno, T. and Fujita, T. (1994) Quantitative structure-activity analysis of larvicidal 1-(substituted benzoyl)-2-benzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazines againstChilo suppressalis.Pestic. Sci. 41:139–148.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Perez-Farinos, G., Smagghe, G., Marco, V., Tirry, L. and Castañera, P. (1998) Effects of topical application of hexaflumuron on adult sugar weevil,Aubeonymus mariaefranciscae, on embryonic development: pharmacokinetics in adults and embryos.Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 61:169–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Retnakaran, A., Hiruma, K., Palli, S.R. and Riddiford, L.M. (1995) Molecular analysis of the mode of action of RH-5992, a Lepidoptera-specific, non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonist.Biochem. Mol. Biol. 25:109–117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Schneider, M.I., Smagghe, G., Gobbi, A. and Viñuela, E. (2003) Toxicity and pharmacokinetics of insect growth regulators and other novel insecticides on pupae ofHyposoter didymator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of early larval instars of lepidopteran pests.J. Econ. Entomol. 96:1054–1065.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Schneider, M.I., Smagghe, G., Pineda, S. and Viñuela, E. (2004) Action of insect growth regulator insecticides and spinosad on life history parameters and absorption in third-instar larvae of the endoparasitoidHyposoter didymator.Biol. Control 31:189–198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Smagghe, G., Auda, M., Van Laecke, K. and Degheele, D. (1997) Significance of penetration and metabolism on topical toxicity of diflubenzuron inSpodoptera littoralis andSpodoptera exigua.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 82:255–260.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Smagghe, G., Carton, B., Decombel, L. and Tirry, L. (2001) Significance of absorption, oxidation, and binding to toxicity of four ecdysone agonists in multi-resistant cotton leafworm.Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 46:127–139.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Smagghe, G., Nakagawa, Y., Carton, B., Mourad, A.K., Fujita, T. and Tirry, L. (1999) Comparative ecdysteroid action of ring-substituted dibenzoylhydrazines inSpodoptera exigua.Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 41:42–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Smagghe, G., Pineda, S., Carton, B., Del Estal, P., Budia, F. and Viñuela, E. (2003) Toxicity and kinetics of methoxyfenozide in greenhouse-selectedSpodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).Pest Manag. Sci. 59:1203–1209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Soltani N. (1987) Effets du diflubenzuron sur la reproduction chezTenebrio molitor L.Ann. Assoc. Natl. Prot. Plantes 3:471–475.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Soltani, N., Aribi, N., Berghiche, H., Lakbar, S. and Smagghe, G. (2002) Activity of RH-0345 on ecdysteroid production and cuticle secretion inTenebrio molitor pupaein vivo andin vitro.Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 72:83–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Soltani, N., Chebira, S., Delbecque, J.P. and Delachambre, J. (1993) Biological activity of flucycloxuron, a novel benzoylphenylurea derivative, onTenebrio molitor: comparison with diflubenzuron and triflumuron.Experientia 49:1088–1091.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Soltani, N., Delbecque, J.P. and Delachambre, J. (1983) Penetration and insecticidal activity of diflubenzuron inTenebrio molitor pupae.Pestic. Sci. 14:615–622.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Soltani-Mazouni, N. (1994) Effects of ingested diflubenzuron on ovarian development during the sexual maturation of mealworms.Tissue Cell 26:439–445.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Soltani-Mazouni, N. and Soltani, N. (1995) The protein synthesis in the fat body ofTenebrio molitor (L.) during oocytes maturation: effects of diflubenzuron, cycloheximide and starvation.J. Stored Prod. Res. 31(2):117–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Taïbi, T., Smagghe, G., Amrani, L. and Soltani-Mazouni, N. (2003) Effect of ecdysone agonist RH-0345 on reproduction of mealworm,Tenebrio molitor.Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 135C:257–267.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Wing, K.D., Slawecki, R.A. and Carlson, G.R. (1988) RH-5849, a nonsteroidal ecdysone agonist: effects on larval Lepidoptera.Science 241:470–472.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biologie Animale Appliquée, Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Annaba, 23000, Annaba, Algérie

    Souad Chebira & Noureddine Soltani

  2. Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Sarah Muylle & Guy Smagghe

Authors
  1. Souad Chebira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Noureddine Soltani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sarah Muylle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guy Smagghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guy Smagghe.

Additional information

http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 15, 2006.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chebira, S., Soltani, N., Muylle, S. et al. Uptake and distribution of three insect growth regulators — diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron and halofenozide — in pupae and adults ofTenebrio molitor . Phytoparasitica 34, 187–196 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02981319

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02981319

Key words

Search

Navigation