EVALUATION OF TRIFLUMURON, A BENZOYLPHENYLUREA DERIVATIVE, ON TENEBRIO-MOLITOR PUPAE (COL, TENEBRIONIDAE) - EFFECTS ON CUTICLE

Triflumuron (TFM), a benzoylphenylurea (BPU) derivative, exhibited ins ecticidal activity when injected to newly ecdysed pupae of Tenebrio mo litor. Mortality occurs by defect in adult ecdysis. Treatment resulted in a significant increase in the duration of pupal stage and caused a reduction in both cuticle thickness and incorporation of C-14-labelle d precursor into chitin compared to controls. Moreover, TFM reduced th e amount of cuticle chitin without any significant effect on protein l evel. Thus, TFM acts by preventing the chitin biosynthesis confirming the primary mode of action of the BPU insecticides.