Pyriproxyfen: Effect on Morphometrics and Total Protein of Accessory Sex Glands of Spodoptera mauritia Boisd

Abstract— Spodoptera mauritia is a sporadic pest of Oryza sativa L. which usually occurs on rice from July to September, feeding on the leaves in large numbers. Accessory Sex Glands (ASGs) play a crucial role in the reproductive success of insects. Pyriproxyfen (PPN), the Juvenile hormone agonist, is an environment friendly Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) well known to interfere with insect reproductive system. In the present study, PPN treatments in different ages of this insect produced variable results. All the newly ecdysed day 0 pupae of S. mauritia, topically applied with 1 µg/µl PPN didn't survive beyond day 4 whereas 0.1 µg/µl PPN treated pupae showed only 61% mortality but the survivors showed failure of emergence. In both sexes, ASGs showed retarded development when compared to control. In the male adultoids, total ASGs proteins reduced significantly and it was evident from their electrophorogram also. The day 0 adult males when topically applied with a single high dose of PPN showed no mortality and their total ASG proteins were significantly increased and this increase was reflected in their electrophorogram.