Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012 (India).
*Present address: Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Bapatla-522 101, Andhra Predesh (India).
The effect of diflubenzuron on AC resistance of the cuticle of Schistocerca gregaria was studied. It was found that the specific resistance (Rs) of the pronotum was significantly reduced in the treated insects from 2nd day onwards after moulting both in the adult males and females. Also, in the forewings, diflubenzuron treatment resulted in significant reduction in the cuticle resistance but from 5th day onwards after moulting. This was also applicable for both the adult males and females. The resistance of the cuticle increased gradually from the time after moulting. This was true for both the adult males and females as well as for diflubenzuron treated and solvent treated insects. The increase in the electrical resistance of the cuticle during the first few hours after moulting was very fast.
