Morphogenetic effects of diflubenzuron, an inhibitor of chitin deposition, on the coconut black-headed caterpillar (Nephantis serinopa myer)

Feeding the last instar larvae of Nephantis serinopa, the coconut black-headed caterpillar, on coconut leaves that had been dipped in diflubenzuron suspensions (0.2-4.0 g litre−1) and dried, inhibited the moulting process and caused morphogenetic deformities of their pupae. The inhibition of moulting ranged from 27.5 to 75% The maximum effect was produced by suspensions of 4.0 g litre−1 when only 5% of the larvae survived to become adults against 97.5% of untreated larvae.