Comparative Study of Insect Growth Regulators on Larval longevity and Weight Loss of Euproctis fraterna Moore

Euproctis fraterna Moore is the polyphagous pest, feeds upon castor, pomegranate, cotton, rose, mango, pigeon pea and pea etc. it`s caterpillar defoliate plants completely. Castor (Ricinus communis L.), a valuable oil seed crop destroyed by this pest throughout the India. For comparative evaluation, two insect growth regulators (novaluron and buprofezin) were used against the larvae of test insect under larval feeding treatment & residual film treatment. The Insect growth regulators affect developmental processes in insects. These are chitin synthesis inhibitors, ecdysone agonists and juvenile hormone mimics. Ishaaya et. al. (2002) reported that novaluron as a powerful toxicant for controlling lepidopteran larvae. This toxicant caused different types of deformities in larvae and adult both. Novaluron caused cent per cent mortality in white flies. The present work is based on comparative study of novaluron & buprofezin on larval longevity & weight loss of the test larvae. Insect growth regulators belong to benzoyl phenyl urea group, commonly reported as a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor was discovered by Van Daalen et al. (1972). These compounds showed insecticidal character, they affect the moulting process, as the chemical interfered with cuticle deposition.