Effect of an Ecdysteroid Agonist on Erionota thrax (Banana Skipper)
Abstract
Erionota thrax (Banana Skipper) is an important lepidopteran pest under the Hesperiidae family causing considerable yield loss of banana. In the present investigation, the potential of methoxyfenozide, which is an important Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) mimicking ecdysteroid hormone, has been evaluated. IGRs generally interfere with metamorphosis or reproduction of insects. IGRs have a tremendous role as third-generation pesticides and are also used as probes to elucidate the role of hormones in basic insect physiology. The efficacy of IGRs provides new strategies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programmes. In the present study, methoxyfenozide treatments produced defective moulting, sclerotization of the cuticle, prolapse of the rectum, and lethality in the larvae of Banana Skipper.
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Introduction
Manipulating natural hormone levels in insects will interfere with hormone-dependent functions such as reproduction and morphogenesis. This idea has led to the development of numerous artificial insect hormone mimics known as Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs). By directly affecting the metabolism of endogenous ecdysteroids, synthetic ecdysteroids and their analogues/agonists have demonstrated efficacy in interfering with the larval moulting process.
One of the important pesticides to use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs is methoxyfenozide, a synthetic environment-safe ecdysteroid agonist. According to studies by Carlson et al. (2001) and Retnakaran et al. (2001), methoxyfenozide causes an early, fatal moult by imitating natural ecdysone. Spodoptera littoralis has been shown to exhibit insecticidal activity when methoxyfenozide and spinetoram are combined (Fatma et al., 2022). Methoxyfenozide's ovicidal activity and overall superior efficacy at lower doses against a wide spectrum of lepidopteran pests have been reported. Methoxyfenozide has been shown to disrupt hormones in Musca domestica (El-Shewy et al., 2024).
Banana skipper (Erionota thrax) belongs to the Hesperiidae family and was first discovered in Hawaii (Davis and Kawamura, 1975). The larvae infest cultivated and wild bananas (Musaceae). The larvae cause damage to banana plants by feeding and rolling up the leaves. Due to this behaviour, they are also called banana leaf roller or palm red-eye. The caterpillars can damage 60% of the plant leaf area. Leaf damage lowers banana yields due to delayed fruit maturity and reduced bunch size.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of methoxyfenozide, an ecdysteroid agonist, on the larvae of Erionota thrax under laboratory conditions.
Conclusion
In the present investigation, methoxyfenozide treatment disrupted the normal moulting process of the banana skipper (Erionota thrax). It also caused mortality, sclerotization of the cuticle and rectal prolapse. The results demonstrate the potential of methoxyfenozide as an effective insect growth regulator for the management of banana skipper larvae. Further studies with larger sample sizes, replicated experiments, and field trials are warranted to validate these findings and establish optimal dosage for practical pest management applications.
References
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