Inhibition of ecdysteroid increase by diflubenzuron inTenebrio molitorpupae and compensation of diflubenzuron effect on cuticle secretion by 20-hydroxyecdysone

Abstract
Dipping of newly ecdysed Tenebrio molitor pupae in an acetone solution of diflubenzuron prevents most of them (73%) from carrying on further development. Such blocked animals cannot secrete adult cuticle and remain apolysed. Their ecdysteroid levels analysed by radioimmunoassay do not present any increase. However, injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone (2–10 μg) several days after diflubenzuron application allows the secretion of a new cuticle with an abnormal architecture but with a high content in N-acetyl-aminosugars as revealed by fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin.

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