Modulatory influence of juvenile hormone analogue (JHa) and 20-hydroxyecdysone on lipophorin synthesis in red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus Fabr.

Topical supply of methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue (JHa) caused notable morphological disturbance in insects. Topical supply of methoprene to newly emerged adult female D. cingulatus caused notable disturbance and induced a dramatic reduction in the total haemolymph protein pattern and lipophorin production in tissues like fat body, ovary and haemolymph. Total protein concentration in haemolymph also showed significant reduction in 1 day old insects but increased slightly as age advanced. Application of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) to 2-day-old adult female stimulated protein synthesis intensively. Lipophorin levels in fat body and ovary also simultaneously increased. Densitometric analysis revealed that methoprene inhibits while 20-HE stimulates lipophorin production in D. cingulatus.