Fecundity, fertility and longevity reductions in adult oriental fruit moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) exposed to surfaces treated with the ecdysteroid agonists tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide

Abstract

The effects on the fecundity, fertility and longevity of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), were examined in a 2-part study that exposed adults to surfaces treated with the ecdysone agonists tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide. The first experiment revealed that when recently-emerged moths were exposed to tebufenozide- or methoxyfenozide-treated surfaces continuously throughout their lives (including mating and oviposition), mean fecundity was significantly reduced. In addition, continuous exposure to methoxyfenozide- treated surfaces significantly reduced female longevity. Exposure to surfaces treated only with a surfactant (Latron B-1956®) used in field applications of tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide also significantly impaired the mean fecundity and percent fertility of the oriental fruit moth. The second part of the study showed that when recently-emerged unmated moths were exposed to treated surfaces for 24 h, then paired with a nontreated partner of the opposite sex to mate and oviposit on non-treated surfaces, significant reductions in mean fecundity occurred only when the female was exposed to methoxyfenozide- treated surfaces. There were no significant differences in percent fertility among the treatments. Finally, females exposed to methoxyfenozide-treated surfaces for 24 h had significantly reduced longevity.