Studies on the Chemosterilants of Insects : XVIII. Deform Effect of Metepa on Pupae of Papilio xuthus L. and P. protenor demetrius CRAMER (Lepidoptera : Papilionidae)

Abstract

The median lethal dosages of metepa administered orally to the fifth instar larvae of Papilio xuthus L. and P. protenor demetrius CRAMER were 5657.2 (4859.6∼6475.1) and 4959.5 (1833.1∼2355.0) μg/larva, respectively, and those of hempa were 5411.7 (4728.4∼6269.5) and 4895.5 (1362.9∼9035.6) μg/larva. Hence the former species was a little more tolerant to the lethal activities of metepa and hempa than the latter. A characteristic deformity was induced concentratively in the wing parts of pupae of both species by the oral administration of metepa at the fifth larval instar. The deformity was induced in both species at almost the same rate for a given dosage. No similar effect on pupa, however, was recognized by hempa in the range of the dosages tested. The deforming dosages increased with the lapse of time of administration of metepa in the fifth larval instar. Both larval and pupal stages were considerably retarded by the administration of metepa.