Effect of ecdysone agonist RH-0345 on reproduction of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor

RH-0345 belongs to a new group of insect growth regulators (IGRs) with a benzoylhydrazine structure that mimic the action of the natural insect molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. After topical application on female adult beetles of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), first oviposition was delayed, the number of eggs per female was reduced by 32%, the follicular epithelium was thinner (-33%) during sexual maturation, the size of deposited eggs was reduced, and egg viability was lost by 68%. Treatment with RH-0345 had also reduced the ovarian protein content and two protein bands were missing in the ovaries. Ultrastructural observations of the ovaries at the end of vitellogenesis in treated females, however, showed no evident differences with the fine structure of both follicular cells and oocytes in controls. In addition, we measured the amount of ecdysteroids in the medium of treated ovary cultures in vitro and in the eggs deposited by treated females. Possible action sites with the reproductive system at different levels in T. molitor are discussed for this novel group of IGRs.