Growth inhibition and total loss of reproductive potential in Tribolium castaneum by Artocarpus hirsuta lectin

The alpha -galactoside binding lectin from Artocarpus hirsuta inhibits grow th and has anti-fertility activity on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleopt era: Tenebrionidae) (red flour beetle). Postembryonic development was affec ted to a significant level when freshly hatched first instar larvae of T. c astaneum were fed on a lectin-treated diet at 0.5% (w/w) concentration. Alt hough larval survival till the tenth day did not differ significantly, larv al weight did. Similarly, time taken for pupation, percentage pupation, tim e taken for adult emergence and percentage adult emergence were adversely a ffected. Larval-pupal intermediates comprised 11% and pupal-adult intermedi ates comprised around 50% of the treated population after 30-35 days. Final ly, the Fl breeding pairs completely failed to reproduce successfully since the female adults from the breeding pairs were unable to lay a single egg.