DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i06.003

Pages: 412-424

The pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella is one of the most destructive insects attacking cotton fields world-wide. The present study was conducted to evaluate the survival and developmental effects of the novel chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs), Noviflumuron and Novaluron, on this insect pest, after treatment of 1-day old eggs. These CSIs exhibited ovicidal activities on eggs, in a dose-dependent course. Complete (100%) mortality of larvae was recorded at the highest concentration (8.0 and 5.0 ppm, respectively) and various degrees of toxicity were recorded on larvae at other concentrations. Both CSIs failed to exhibit pupicidal or adulticidal effects. Noviflumuron exhibited stronger ovicidal activity than Novaluron (LC50 values: 0.188 and 0.274 ppm, respectively) and vice versa for larvicidal activity (LC50 values: 0.153 and 0.342 ppm of Novaluron and Noviflumuron, respectively). The larval and pupal durations were slightly or remarkably prolonged. The pupation rate was slightly reduced by Noviflumuron but conspicuously hindered by Novaluron. Noviflumuron and Novaluron could not affect the metamorphosis or morphogenesis of P. gossypiella.