Abstract
Pyriproxyfen (S-31183), a pyridyl ether compound, which shows high juvenile hormone mimic (JHM) activity against insects, was evaluated for activities against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Topical application of pyriproxyfen to last instar female nymphs induced higher inhibition of emergence than that by hydroprene. Last instar nymphs were the most sensitive to pyriproxyfen. High correlation was observed between the degree of inhibition of emergence of females and the inhibition of reproduction. Topical application or voluntary contact with pyriproxyfen caused the death of younger instar nymphs and supernumerary nymphs. Under laboratory conditions, a population of the German cockroach consisting of various nymphal stages and adults was exposed to harborages treated with pyriproxyfen at a rate of 3.8mg/m^2. Growth of the experimental population was suppressed, and the insects died off in less than a year.
