LIPID-METABOLISM DURING THE SEXUAL-MATURATION OF THE MEALWORM (TENEBRIO-MOLITOR) - EFFECT OF INGESTED DIFLUBENZURON

Diflubenzuron (DFB), a benzoylphenylurea derivative, when fed to adult females of Tenebrio molitor during sexual maturation (i.e., from adul t ecdysis to day 9), was found to accumulate in the fat body and to qu antitatively and qualitatively affect lipid synthesis. DFB treatment d ecreased the overall Lipid level in the fat body and caused perturbati ons in both the rate of incorporation and distribution of radiolabeled oleic acid in the different classes of Lipids. Compared to untreated controls, a significant increase in the level of saturated fatty acids and a significant decrease in the level of unsaturated fatty acids we re observed in the fat body. In the ovaries, the fatty acid compositio n of total lipids was nor affected by the DFR. However, a drop in the rate of incorporation of a radiolabeled precursor in the ovarian lipid s, especially in the triacylglycerol, was observed. (C) 1997 Academic Press.