Comparative larvicidal toxicities of three ecdysone agonists on the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles gambiae.

Ecdysone agonists are hormonally active insect growth regulators that disrupt development of pest insects and have potential for development as insecticides. Their effects have been particularly well-studied in Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, but significantly less is known about their effects on dipterans, particularly aquatic species. The potency of three ecdysone agonists on larvae of 3 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus, was examined.

Inhibition of the larval ecdysis and emergence behavior of the parasitoid Cotesia congregata by methoprene.

Parasitism of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, by the braconid wasp Cotesia congregata, induces developmental arrest of the host in the larval stage. During the final instar of the host, its juvenile hormone (JH) titer is elevated, preventing host metamorphosis. This study investigated the effects of hormonal manipulation of the host on the parasitoid's emergence behavior.