Effects of precocenes (I and II) and juvenile hormone I on Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep., Noctuidae) larvae parasitized by Microplitis rufiventris Kok. (Hym., Braconidae)

• Published in: Journal of applied entomology (1986) 1998-11, Vol.122 (1-5), p.453-456
• Main Authors: Hegazi, E. M., El-Singaby, N. R., Khafagi, W. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Braconidae; Control; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Integrated pest control; Microplitis rufiventris; Noctuidae; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; Spodoptera littoralis
• ISSN: 0931-2048; 1439-0418
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1998.tb01525.x

: Precocenes I & II (PI & PII) and juvenile hormone I (JHI) were topically tested on unparasitized and Microplitis rufiventris parasitized Spodoptera littoralis larvae. Parasitism interferes with normal host response to these compounds, decreasing their effectiveness. In all cases, the effect was dose‐dependent. In contrast to PII or JHI, the lower dose of PI was more effective than the higher one. Application of JHI to S. littoralis larvae was less harmful to parasitoid development than either PI or PII. It is therefore emphasized that the commercial utilization of insect growth regulators should be undertaken carefully to minimize possible disruptive effects on developing parasitoids.