International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Resmitha C, Dr. Kannan Vadakkadath Meethal

Abstract
Insect Growth Regulators (IGR's) belong to a group of compounds which interfere with normal growth, development and reproduction in insects by disrupting hormonally regulated physiological processes of insects. Pyriproxyfen is an IGR which mimics the action of Juvenile Hormone (JH). The influence of IGRs on haemolymph protein profile of lepidopteran pests is not well characterized. Exposure of 5^th instar larvae of S.mauritia to sub lethal concentration (LD₁₀) of pyriproxyfen led to an increase in size of the larvae. Concomitantly haemolymph protein concentration of the treated larvae also increased compared to control. In pyriproxyfen treated larvae, on SDS-PAGE, there was an increase in the intensity of the predominant haemolymph protein band (83kDa) indicating a specific effect of pyriproxyfen on this protein. The pyriproxyfen-responsive protein is a glycoprotein and is synthesized/ stored in fat body. The identified pyriproxyfen-responsive protein is likely to be a member of hexamerins, the major storage protein in the haemolymph of insects.