Growth-inhibiting activity of azadirachtin on Corcyra cephalonica.

The growth-inhibiting properties of azadirachtin, a bioeffective triterpenoid compound isolated from neem ( Azadirachia indica A. Juss) seeds, was evaluated on the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica Staint., a serious pest of stored products. By topical application of various azadirachtin doses (0.5 to 10 μg/larva) in methanol to last-instar spinning stage larvae, development was inhibited. The effect was dose-dependent; at higher doses, many of the insects remained in the larval stage (55% with 10 μg/larva). Disturbance of both larval-pupal and pupal-adult molting is discussed and interpreted as interference with the morphogenetic hormone pool size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]