Disruptive Effects of Two Curcuminoids (Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin) on the Larval Development of .

Juvenile hormones (JHs) play a central role in insect development, reproduction, and various physiological functions. Curcuminoids generally exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and insecticidal, and they exhibit insect growth inhibitory effects. However, research on insecticidal properties of curcuminoids has been limited.

Morphological and functional heterogeneity in olfactory perception between antennae and maxillary palps in the pumpkin fruit fly, Bactrocera depressa.

The morphology and ultrastructure of the olfactory sensilla on the antennae and maxillary palps were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their responses to five volatile compounds were measured using electroantenogram (EAG) and electropalpogram (EPG) techniques in the pumpkin fruit fly, Bactrocera depressa (Shiraki; Diptera: Tephritidae). Male and female B. depressa displayed distinct morphological types of olfactory sensilla in the antennae and maxillary palps, with predominant populations of trichoid, basiconic, and coeloconic sensilla.

Olfactory attraction mediated by the maxillary palps in the striped fruit fly, Bactrocera scutellata: Electrophysiological and behavioral study.

Here, we report that the olfactory attraction of the striped fruit fly, Bactrocera scutellata (Hendel; Diptera: Tephritidae), a serious pest of pumpkin and other cucurbitaceae plants, to cue lure and raspberry ketone is mediated by the maxillary palps. The antennae, bearing three morphological types (basiconic, trichoid, and coeloconic) of olfactory sensilla, in male and female B. scutellata exhibited significant electroantennogram (EAG) responses to a plant volatile compound, 3-octanone, and methyl eugenol, whereas cue lure, raspberry ketone, and zingerone that are known to attract several other species of Bactrocera fruit flies elicited no significant EAG responses from both sexes.

Species-Specific Interactions between Plant Metabolites and Insect Juvenile Hormone Receptors.

Because juvenile hormone (JH) controls insect development and its analogs are used as insecticides, juvenile hormone disruptors (JHDs) represent potential sources from which novel pesticides can be developed. Many plant species harbor JHD activity, which has previously been attributed plant secondary metabolites (i.e.

A plant diterpene counteracts juvenile hormone-mediated gene regulation during Drosophila melanogaster larval development.

Many plant species possess compounds with juvenile hormone disruptor (JHD) activity. In some plant species, such activity has been attributed to diterpene secondary metabolites. Plant JHD diterpenes disrupt insect development by interfering with the juvenile hormone (JH)-mediated formation of JH receptor complexes.