Biological activity of insect growth regulators,pyriproxyfen,lufenuron and methoxyfenozide against tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Three insect growth regulators (igrs),juvenile hormone analogues (pyriproxyfen),ecdysone agonist (methoxyfenozide) and chitin synthesis inhibitor (lufenuron) were tested against egg,larva,pupa and adult stages of tribolium castaneum. keeping laboratory conditions constant at 30±2°c and 60±5% r.h,six doses (2.5,5,7.5,10,15 and 20ppm) of these igrs were applied to observed their effects. the results showed that highest (100%) ovicidal action was observed in case of pyriproxyfen followed by methoxyfenozide and lufenuron,respectively. for their lethal effect against larvae,lufenuron (100%) was most effective,while pyriproxyfen (66.10%) was least effective. in case of pupae treatment,adult inhibition was highest (96.67%) in pyriproxyfen treatment and minimum (26.67%) in methoxyfenozide. the results regarding adult exposure to these igrs treated diet showed that pyriproxyfen have no effect on adult mortality. while the adult mortality due to lufenuron and methoxyfenozide was 33.33 and 23.33%,respectively. results concerning the efficacy of concentration showed that there was a direct dose dependent response. the present data suggest that the lufenuron (chitin synthesis inhibitors) was most effective than others for the management of t. castaneum. © copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.