Impact of azadirachtin on vine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) reproduction

• Published in: Agricultural and forest entomology Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 291 - 294
• Main Author: Cowles, R.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01-11-2004; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animal reproduction; Azadirachtin; botanical insecticides; Coleoptera; Curculionidae; dose response; egg viability; Entomology; fecundity; growth regulator; insect control; insect reproduction; Insects; Otiorhynchus sulcatus; oviposition; Pesticides; Taxus; viability; vine weevil
• ISSN: 1461-9555; 1461-9563
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-9555.2004.00235.x

1 The dose–response of azadirachtin on vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius), reproduction is investigated by confining adults to feed on treated Taxus × media leaves, and by counting and evaluating development in the resulting eggs.
2 A dosage‐dependent reduction in oviposition is discovered for foliar surface residues of azadirachtin, with an EC50 of 25–50 parts per million (p.p.m) and 99.2% inhibition of viable egg production with 100 p.p.m.
3 Switching weevils from treated to untreated foliage allows reproductive capability to be restored for weevils that cease egg laying after azadirachtin exposure of 50 p.p.m. Weevils that had already started laying eggs in untreated groups soon cease oviposition once switched to azadirachtin‐treated foliage.
4 A transovarial effect results in a decrease in the percentage of viable eggs as the azadirachtin concentration increases.
5 The amount of feeding on foliage does not appreciably decrease at these hormonally effective concentrations, and adult weevil mortality is only slightly greater in the azadirachtin‐treated groups. Therefore, the overall effect of azadirachtin on weevil populations in the field is difficult to assess, except by collecting weevils to determine whether they are able to lay viable eggs.