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Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Print version ISSN 0074-0276On-line version ISSN 1678-8060
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz vol.82 suppl.3 Rio de Janeiro 1987
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02761987000700014
Effects of precocene and azadirachtin in Rhodnius prolixus: some data on development and reproduction
Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Niterói, Brasil
The results presented in this paper clearly indicate that precocene and azadirachtin are effective inhibitors of moulting and reproduction in the hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus. The time of application is important and only applications of these substances early in the intermoulting period cause their effects in nymphs. The inhibition of moulting is fully reversed by ecdysone therapy. Precocene and azadirachtin also affected drastically the oogenesis and egg deposition in this insect. Precocene-induced sterilization is reversed by application of juvenile hormone III. However, this hormone is unable to reverse the effect of azadirachtin on reproduction. Ecdysteroid titers in nymphs and adult females are decreased by these treatments. In vitro analysis suggest that precocene and azadirachtin may act directly on the prothoracic glands and ovaries producing ecdysteroids. Based on these and other findings the possible mode of action of these compounds on the development and reproduction of Rhodnius prolixus is discussed.