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Phytoparasitica (2011) 39:205213 DOI 10.1007/s12600-011-0154-8
Diofenolan: a novel insect growth regulator in common citrus butterfly, Papilio demoleus
Satya Singh & Krishna Kumar
Received: 13 August 2010 /Accepted: 1 March 2011 /Published online: 5 April 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011
Abstract Penultimate and last instar larvae of the common citrus swallowtail butterfly, Papilio demoleusL. (Papilionidae: Lepidoptera), were treated with different doses of a novel juvenoid, diofenolan. Several deformities were observed as a result of topical administration of diofenolan which include delay in larvallarval and larvalpupal ecdysis, ecdysial failure, mortality, severe reduction in pupation, deformed pupae and complete inhibition of adult emergence. The juvenoid diofenolan severely hampers the normal growth, development and metamorphosis of P. demo-leus and can be incorporated into integrated pest management programs for successful control of this important pest of citrus all over the world.
Keywords Common lime butterfly. Ecdysial failure .
Emergence inhibition . Juvenoid . Larvallarval ecdysis . Larvalpupal ecdysis . Metamorphosis
Introduction
Papilio demoleus L. (Papilionidae: Lepidoptera) is a major pest of citrus all over the world. According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
in 2006, globally 140 countries are involved in citrus production. Of the worlds total citrus production, approximately 70% has been reported from the northern hemisphere, with Brazil being the top citrus-producing country followed by the USA. India ranks eighth in world citrus production (FAOSTAT 2010).
Papilio demoleus larvae are voracious feeders and attack the young foliage of citrus plants, completely defoliating plants in nurseries and orchards. Adults are strong fliers and are introduced into new regions with their host plantnative or cultivated citrus (Guerrero et al. 2004). It has been reported from throughout southern Asia, the Middle East to India, and the Indo-Pacific region (Vane-Wright and de Jong 2003). In recent years P. demoleus has been recorded from New World countries like the Dominican Republic (Guerrero et al. 2004), Jamaica and Puerto Rico (Homziak and Homziak 2006).
Juvenoid diofenolan, a potent juvenile hormone (JH) mimic and molt inhibitor, is a photo stable and safe insect growth regulator (IGR) used for the control of scale insects and many lepidopteran pests (Pedigo 2002; Streibert et al. 1994). It interferes with the endogenous hormone levels and disrupts the normal growth, development, metamorphosis and molting in...