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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of the ingestion ofSerratula tinctoria extracts, a plant containing phytoecdysteroids, on the development of the vineyard pestLobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

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We describe here the effects of extracts from Serratula tinctoria, a plant producing phytoecdysteroids, on the growth and development of Lobesia botrana, an economically important pest in vineyards. Leaves, hairy roots, or semi-purified (by Sep-Pak procedure) methanolic extracts from this plant were incorporated into an artificial diet given to insects. Larval growth, mortality, weight, and sex-ratio were investigated, as well as sterol and ecdysteroid contents. Experimental diets induced an important mortality in the first, second, and third larval instars, but also in pupae. As males appeared more sensitive to extracts, sex ratio was significantly modified on experimental diets (particularly with Sep-Pak fractions SP60, SP80, and SP100). Pathophysiological effects were also observed: Larval development was significantly faster on experimental diets and a weight loss, 14% for males and from 12% to 22% for females, was noted (particularly when reared on hairy roots and SP20, SP60, and SP80 extracts). Moreover, sterol and ecdysteroid contents were disturbed after rearing on experimental diets. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:227–235, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.