Effects of tebufenozide on ovarian growth and sexual behavior in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica).
Tebufenozide, a dibenzoylhydrazine insect growth regulator, was applied topically (1 microg/insect) on female adults of the German cockroach Blattella germanica and its effects on ovarian measurement and proteins contents were investigated during the first gonadotrophic cycle (0, 2, 4 and 6 days). Dissection of treated females showed a clear reduction in oocyte numbers and volume of the basal oocyte. The ovarian proteins content was also significantly reduced. Behavioral tests demonstrated that treatment of 6-days-old females with tebufenozide caused in 80% of the males an increase in numbers of antennal contacts, but there was no effect on the numbers of wing raisings. In contrast, it was striking that in 20% of the males there was a total loss of antennal contacts and wings raisings in response to a calling treated female. These behavior effects are probably caused by a reduced production of contact sex pheromone in the females and may help in explaining the lower ovary reproductive parameters.
Kilani-Morakchi
S
S
Laboratoire de Biologie Animale Appliquée, Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Annaba, DZ-23000 Annaba, Algérie.
Aribi
N
N
Farine
J P
JP
Smagghe
G
G
Soltani
N
N
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000378:metabolism; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D006834:Hydrazines; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D012724:Sex Attractants; C082026:tebufenozide