title: Lethal and sublethal effects of cantharidin on the life history traits and population parameters of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is a serious and cosmopolitan pest of many economic crops. Its control has not been adequate owing to its resistance to many groups of insecticides. Toxicity of cantharidin on armyworm and diamondback moth has already been reported. However, its toxicity on H. armigera has not been investigated previously. In this study, lethal and sublethal effects of cantharidin on H. armigera under laboratory conditions are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed gross abnormalities in the population parameters of H. armigera, ranging from larvae to adults. Reduction in larval weight and wing malformation were observed in the cantharidin-treated population cohort, and higher mortality at the larval, pupal and adult stages was observed in cantharidin-treated H. armigera compared with the control. Moreover, almost 5 times less fecundity was recorded in the treated population cohort. Fertility was also severely affected, and reduction in all population parameters was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cantharidin caused larval mortality and other serious abnormalities in H. armigera population parameters, and therefore may have positive implications for pest management decision-making process. More interestingly, the experiment revealed that cantharidin in sublethal dose mimicked insect growth regulator insecticides. Furthermore, cantharidin could be used as a precursor compound for the synthesis of new analogues and compounds to replace ineffective older compounds.
authors: Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
authors: Rashid A
authors: RA
authors: Khan
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Rashid
authors: Dun
authors: D
authors: Wang
authors: Ya-Lin
authors: YL
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002193:Cantharidin / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002193:Cantharidin
keywords: Helicoverpa armigera; abnormalities; cantharidin; population parameters; sublethal