Effects of a juvenile hormone analogue on growth and reproduction in the cotton stainer Dysdercus fasciatus Say

Abstract

Williams (1960) suggested the use of insect hormones as possible pest control agents. Hormones are internal secretions that regulate a wide variety of physiological processes especially those concerned with growth, development and egg maturation (Novék, 1966). Similar activity has been reported for a series of compounds related to insect hormones and known as juvenile hormone mimics or analogues (see reviews by Berkoff, 1969; El-Ibrashy, 1970; Ellis et al., 1970; Wigglesworth, 1970). This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation using one such hormone analogue, methyl farnesoate dihydrochioride (DMF) prepared according to methods described by Law et al. (1966) and Romaňuk et al. (1967) when applied to the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus fasciatus Say.