The Open Entomology Journal

2014, 8 : 10-16
Published online 2014 July 11. DOI: 10.2174/1874407901408010010
Publisher ID: TOENTOJ-8-10

Effects of Anti-Juvenile Hormone (Precocene II) Treatment on Phase Changes and Pheromone Production in the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Amer I. Tawfik , Ellie O. Osir and Ahmad Hassanali
Department of Zoology/Entomology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt; 2International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya.

ABSTRACT

The roles of anti-juvenile hormone (precocene II) on phase changes and pheromone production were examined in laboratory-bred gregarious desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Precocene II was applied to last instar nymphs and newly emerged adults in gregarious phase. Generally, the 5th instar nymphs exhibited a higher sensitivity to topical application of precocen II than the adults. In contrast, the adults exhibited a higher sensitivity to injection of precocen II in comparison to 5th instar nymphs. Topical application or injection of precocene II inhibited pheromone production (as measured by the amount of phenylacetonitrile released). Both topical application to 5th instar nymphs and injection to adults affected the external body coloration, sexual behavior and mating of gregarious adult males, S. gregaria in comparison to control insects.

Keywords:

Anti-juvenile hormone, locust, phase polyphenism.