Effect of insect growth regulators on the development of Helicoverpa armigera

Abstract

In laboratory study various developmental changes were exhibited by Helicoverpa armigera by the treatment of different insect growth regulators (IGRs) i.e. lufenuron, novaluron and UPI-106. Gram pod borer, H.armigera is a dreaded enemy of chick pea, pigeon pea, cotton, tomato and many other economically important crops. In the study, the efforts were concentrated in seeking effective toxicant for managing H. armigera population. IGRs are newer chemicals having less pollution effect on environment. Lufenuron, novaluron and UPI-106 are chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI) belonging to acyl urea group. Lufenuron effectively suppressed H. armigera populations resulting in significant reduction in crop damage (Gogi, Mohammad D.; Sarfaraz, Rana M; Dosdall, Lloyd M; Arif Mohammad J; Keddie, Adrew B.; Ashfaz, Muhammad (2006)). The Insect Growth Regulators are much more effective than conventional insecticides. Several workers like Jadhav, S.V, Mohite, P.B., Kharbade, S.B. (2005). Patil S.K. Ingle M.B. Jamadagni B.M. concluded the same thing. Emmual O. Endomwande, At. S. Schoeman, Johann A. Brits and Mac Van der Merwe determined the effect of lufenuron against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. IGR inhibits the production of chitin in larval forms and affects the life cycle of H.armigera. The different criteria studied were length of body, weight of body, width of body and width of head capsule. Among the different concentration of three IGRs used, the most effective IGR was the treatment of UPI-106 (0.08% conc.) while the least effective was Novaluron (0.025% conc.).