Endocrine background of how 20-hydroxyecdysone agonist, RH 5849, influences diurnal pattern of pupation in Spodoptera littoralis

• Published in: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 255 - 261
• Main Authors: Pszczolkowski, Maciej A., Kuszczak, Barbara, Smagghe, Guy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.1998; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chemical control; circadian rhythmicity; Control; ecdysteroids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Noctuidae; pesticides; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; pupation; RH-5849; Spodoptera littoralis; Laboratory study; Insecticide; Insecta; Pupation; Biological rhythm; Circadian rhythm; Molt; Spodoptera littoralis; Ecdysone analogue; Dose activity relation; Larva; Ecdysteroide; Arthropoda; Lepidoptera; Developmental stage; Noctuidae; Invertebrata; Mechanism of action
• ISSN: 0013-8703; 1570-7458
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1570-7458.1998.00329.x

Under laboratory conditions (L16:D8, 24°C, r.h. 80%), applying of an ecdysone agonist, RH 5849, (1,2‐dibenzoyl‐1‐tert‐butylhydrazine) onto final instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), Noctuidae, Lepidoptera, delayed or advanced the time of pupation depending on the time of treatment. This response was dose‐dependent. In addition, non‐lethal doses of RH 5849, ranging from 0.05 to 10 μg/larva were used. Following treatment of S. littoralis larvae with 5 μg RH 5849 the endogenous ecdysteroid level was increased or decreased depending on the time of application. Based on the results presented, we suggest that potential users of non‐steroidal ecdysone agonists should consider the proper circadian timing of application in the field.