幼虫密度对甜菜夜蛾生长发育与繁殖的影响

为了研究甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)幼虫的密度对其发育及繁殖的影响,本实验观察了5种幼虫密度下（1,5,10,20,30头/瓶）,幼虫发育和成虫繁殖情况。结果表明：幼虫和蛹历期、存活率和蛹重均差异显著。幼虫和蛹历期均以20头/瓶的最短,1头/瓶的最长,其余随幼虫密度增加而延长;幼虫至蛹存活率以10头/瓶的最高,其余随幼虫密度增加而降低;1头/瓶的蛹最重,显著高于其他密度的,其余随幼虫密度增加而下降。尽管密度间成虫羽化率和产卵前期均无显著差异,但成虫产卵量、寿命和畸形率差异显著。1头/瓶的产卵量最多,其次为10头/瓶的,其余随幼虫密度增加而减少,30头/瓶的产卵量显著少于其他密度的; 密度在1～20头/瓶范围内,雌蛾寿命均较短,显著短于30头/瓶的,而雄蛾寿命以5头/瓶的最短,显著短于其他密度的（10头/瓶除外）,10头/瓶的次之,其余密度间差异不显著;不同幼虫密度下羽化的成虫畸形率差异显著,10头/瓶的最低,其余随幼虫密度增加而升高; 生命表结果表明甜菜夜蛾在10头/瓶下世代存活率和种群增长指数均最高,幼虫密度过低或过高均不利于种群增长;世代存活率（S）和种群增长指数（I）与幼虫密度之间的关系均呈抛物线关系：S =－0.2087x²+2.5694x+211.52 (R²=0.88),I=－0.0552x²+0.9166x+54.168 (R²=0.95)。结果提示幼虫密度影响甜菜夜蛾种群动态的重要生态因子之一。     

Extra molting,cannibalism and pupal diapause under unfavorable growth conditions in Atrophaneura alcinous (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Atrophaneura alcinous adopt multiple strategies such as extra molting, cannibalism and pupal diapause under unfavorable growth conditions. The conditions under which these strategies are adopted have been separately verified, but their relationship has often been overlooked. We examined which strategy A. alcinous adopted and the relative advantages of strategies using four experimental groups under different food quantity and individual density conditions. Our results indicated that A. alcinous often extra‐molted, prolonged the larval period, and larval and pupal weights were lighter under food shortage. Cannibalism and disease often occurred under the high density and food shortage condition. We also showed that individuals cannibalized during the prepupal or pupal period were less likely to extra molt before they were killed. Extra molting tended to occur more frequently in females than in males under a shortage of food. In addition, we showed that, when food was insufficient, A. alcinous might initiate pupal diapause under low densities, but not under high densities. These results suggest that A. alcinous prolongs the larval period by engaging in extra molting during times of unfavorable food conditions. This strategy might decrease the risk of cannibalization because surrounding larvae who could potentially cannibalize others pupate before larvae who prolong the larval period pupate. Our results also suggest that diapausing pupae under a shortage of food can only survive when there are few surrounding conspecifics, due to a lower cannibalization risk. In conclusion, there is a complex interaction between extra molting, cannibalism and pupal diapause strategies.     

Crowding-triggered phenotypic responses alleviate consequences of crowding inEpirrita autumnata (Lep., Geometridae)

Summary CrowdedEpirrita larvae had shorter larval periods than, and similar pupal masses to, their solitary siblings when reared on low quality diets. When fed on high quality diets, pupal masses of crowded larvae were lower than in singletons, and there was no difference in larval period. Because changes in food availability (absolute shortage, induced resistance in foliage) are caused by high larval densities in the field, crowding-triggered phenotypic changes may helpEpirrita to overcome detrimental consequences of high larval density. Pupal period was longer in crowded larvae than in singletons and crowded adults emerged later than their solitary siblings. Eggs of late emerging moths eclosed late in the ensuing spring, which coincides with delayed leaf flush in the year after defoliation. The reason for the faster growth of crowded individuals on poor diets was higher intake albeit less thorough processing of food in crowded, but not in solitary, larvae. On good diets solitary individuals tended to consume more than crowded larvae but there was no difference in processing. Predicted differences of host plant use between stealthy and opportunistic types of herbivores (sensu Rhoades 1985) were generally found between solitary and aggregated larvae on poor but not on good diets. The group response could not be explained by benefits to the group although the assumptions of Wilson's model of group selection were satisfied.     

Performance of pine looper Bupalus piniarius larvae under population build-up conditions

In the first year of an outbreak, Bupalus piniarius larvae, encounter intense crowding. In the later stages of larval development, they are forced to feed on the non-preferred current-year needles of Scots pine or even on alternative hosts. It was hypothesized that larval feeding on a non-preferred resource (current-year needles) will negatively affect B. piniarius performance. It was also hypothesized that larval mutual interference (crowding without competition for food) will have negative additive effects. These hypotheses were tested in laboratory and field experiments. Fourth instar larvae were reared singly and under crowded conditions in cohorts of ten. Larvae in both situations were reared on control branches (containing both mature and current-year shoots) and branches containing only current-year shoots. Crowded larvae were reared also on Norway spruce, an alternative host. Crowding and feeding on a non-preferred resource had opposite effects on B. piniarius larval performance. Crowding in the late larval instars enhanced larval performance while absence of the preferred resource had negative effects. Larval growth rate was higher and development time was shorter for larvae exposed to crowded conditions than for solitary larvae. There was, however, no difference between the groups in final pupal weights or survival. Survival was 25% lower for larvae feeding on non-preferred current-year needles and pupal weights 9% lower, compared with results for larvae feeding on mature needles. Larvae feeding on Norway spruce suffered greatly extended development time, 82% lower survival, and resulted in 60% lighter pupae compared with conspecifics on Scots pine. It was concluded that not only quantity but also quality of the available food resource is critical for B. piniarius development.     

Pupal diapause of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): sensitive stage for thermal induction in the Okayama (western Japan) population

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) exhibits a facultative pupal diapause, which depends on temperature and photoperiod. Pupal diapause is induced at 20 degrees C by short photoperiods and inhibited by long photoperiods during the larval stage. However, in some pupae (35% of males and 57% of females) of a non-selected field population from Okayama Prefecture (34.6 degrees N), diapause is not induced by short photoperiods. In the present experiment, the importance of temperature for diapause induction was studied in the non-diapausing strain, which was selected from such individuals reared at 20 degrees C under a short photoperiod of 10L:14D. Furthermore, the sensitive stage for thermal determination of pupal diapause was determined by transferring larvae of various instars and pupae between 20 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Diapause was induced by 15 degrees C without respect to photoperiod. When larvae or pupae reared from eggs at 20 degrees C under a short or a long photoperiod were transferred to 15 degrees C in the periods of the middle fifth instar to the first three days after pupation, the diapause induction rate was significantly reduced in both males and females, especially in females. In contrast, when larvae or pupae reared at 15 degrees C were transferred to 20 degrees C in the same periods, diapause was induced in males, but not in females. However, the diapause induction rate of pupae transferred to 20 degrees C on the fourth day after pupation was significantly increased in females. The results show that temperature is the major diapause cue in the photoperiod-insensitive strain and the periods of middle fifth larval instar to early pupal stage are the thermal sensitive stages for pupal diapause induction with some different responses to temperatures between males and females in H. armigera.     

幼虫密度对桑螟生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】本研究旨在了解桑螟Diaphania pyloalis幼虫不同饲养密度对其生长发育和繁殖的影响。【方法】本研究测定了室内同一条件下5个幼虫密度(130, 650, 1 300, 1 950和2 600头/m²)下桑螟生长发育和繁殖指标,包括发育历期、幼虫存活率、化蛹率、成虫羽化率、蛹重、产卵期、单雌产卵量等。【结果】幼虫密度对桑螟的生长发育和繁殖均产生不同程度影响,幼虫密度偏低或偏高都不利于桑螟生长发育和繁殖。其中以1 300和1 950头/m² 2种幼虫密度下的桑螟幼虫生长发育和成虫繁殖状态均最佳且两密度下各项指标无明显差异,1 300头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.32, 6.33和5.31 d; 1 950头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.50, 6.00和5.47 d。1 300头/m²幼虫密度下,桑螟化蛹率、成虫羽化率和幼虫存活率分别为86.67%, 100%和86.67%, 1 950头/m^2<...     

Laboratory rearing and life history of an emerging grape pest, Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Several aspects of the biology of Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier), an emerging grape pest, were studied under laboratory conditions. Four diets were tested to rear this species in the laboratory. Among them, only one made rearing from larva to adult possible. The highest mortality, in all cases, was recorded during the first days of larval development. Larvae were kept 45 days at 8°C to break diapause in order to reduce the normal field larval developmental time. The species' developmental time was similar between sexes, while pupal developmental time and weight were significantly greater for females than for males. As part of a complementary study, life table parameters of females obtained from the larvae reared on the artificial diet were compared to those of females emerged from field-infested grape root wood. Both laid the majority of eggs in the first two weeks after emergence, and they had a similar pre-laying period. Nevertheless, the females from the diet-reared larvae lived significantly longer, laid eggs over a longer period of time and showed higher fertility than those emerging from infested grape root, suggesting that diet fulfils larval nutritional needs. The species' laboratory-reared population exhibited a low intrinsic growth rate value (rm=0.01) as a result of its long egg-to-adult developmental time and its high larval mortality.     

幼虫密度对草地螟生长发育及繁殖的影响

为了明确幼虫密度对草地螟Loxostege sticticalis种群增长的影响, 对室内条件下（温度22±1℃, RH 70%±5%, 光周期16L∶ 8D）不同幼虫密度[1, 10, 20, 30和40头/瓶（650 mL）］饲养的草地螟生长发育及繁殖进行了研究。结果表明: 幼虫密度对草地螟幼虫体色、 发育历期和存活率, 以及蛹重和成虫生殖等有显著影响。随着幼虫密度的增加, 幼虫体色黑化程度呈增强趋势, 幼虫密度大于10头/瓶时的体色黑化值均显著大于幼虫密度为1头/瓶时的体色黑化值（P<0.05）。20头/瓶的幼虫和蛹历期最短, 且随幼虫密度的增加而显著延长（P<0.05）。幼虫存活率以10头/瓶最高, 其他幼虫密度的幼虫存活率显著较低（P<0.05）。蛹重以1头/瓶的最重, 并随幼虫密度增加而显著下降（P<0.05）。成虫产卵量和交配率分别以1和20头/瓶的幼虫密度最高, 幼虫密度升高则产卵量、 交配率逐渐降低。成虫产卵历期随着幼虫密度的增加逐渐缩短。雌、 雄蛾寿命分别以10和20头/瓶幼虫密度时最长, 幼虫密度过高时雌雄蛾寿命又显著缩短（P<0.05）。生命表分析表明, 幼虫密度对草地螟种群增长指数有显著影响, 以10头/瓶幼虫密度的种群增长指数最高, 幼虫密度过高或过低时种群增长指数下降。据此认为, 幼虫密度是影响草地螟种群增长的重要因子之一。     

Studies on Aedes albopictus larval mass-rearing optimization

To set up a sterile male technique program to control Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in areas in northern Italy, a pilot mass-rearing facility is under development. For this purpose, experiments were carried out to find the optimal larval density for the optimization of the rearing parameters, i.e., to obtain the fastest larval development, the highest larval and pupal survival rate, and large-sized pupae. Several different larval densities, from 40 to 2874 larvae per liter, were tested. For densities from 40 to 600 larvae per liter significant size differences were found among pupae obtained under different larval densities. The larvae raised at the lowest density tended to be smaller and to develop most slowly, i.e., longer pupation time. Also, increasing water volume and depth seemed to negatively affect the pupation success. Compared with the other larval densities tested, the larvae reared at a density of 2874 larvae per liter developed slightly faster and showed higher survival rates, indicating this density as appropriate for the development of a mass rearing, at least using the current larval diet.     

Seasonal plasticity in growth and development of the speckled wood butterfly, Pararge aegeria (Satyrinae)

Regulation of growth and development by photoperiod was studied in a population of the speckled wood butterfly, Purarge aegeria L. (Lepidoptera: Satyrinae), from southern Sweden. Individuals were reared in a range of photoperiodic regimes (9L. to 22L) and temperatures (13°C to 21° C). Plasticity was found for important life-history traits- generation time, growth rate and final weight and seasonal regulation of development in response to photoperiod was found to occur at two levels. Purarge aegeria hibernates as a third instar larva or in the pupal stage, cantering one of four major developmental pathways in response to photoperiod: (1) direct development in both the larval and pupal stages, (2) pupal winter diapause with or (3) without a preceding larval summer diapause, or (4) larval winter diapause. In addition to this high-level regulation of individual development, larval growth rate and pupal development rate also appear to be finally regulated by photoperiod within each major pathway. As photoperiods decreased from 22 h to 17 h at 17° C, growth rate among directly developing larvae increased progressively, as was the case for larva? developing according to a univoltine life cycle from 17 h to 14 h. At two photoperiods, 13 h and 16 h (corresponding to shifts between major pathways), both larval and pupal development were extremely variable with the fastest individuals developing directly and the slowest developing with a diapause. This indicates a gradual nature of diapause itself, suggesting that the two level may not he fundamentally different.     

Intraspecific competition of Glyptotendipes paripes (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae under laboratory conditions

Glyptotendipes paripes larvae were reared in wells of tissue culture plates, in groups of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 (representing densities of about 1,300, 2,600, 5,200, 10,400, and 20,800 larvae per m², respectively). Larval groups were supplied with one of two concentrations (low or high) of food and larvae were individually observed to evaluate the effects of density on mortality, growth, development, behavior, and adult body size. Increased larval densities resulted in higher mortality, as well as slower larval growth and development. The distribution of developmental time became flatter at higher density, with a wider range of values, or even became bimodal. This was a consequence of the most rapidly developing individuals at higher densities emerging as adults sooner than the fastest developing individuals at lower densities, although overall mean developmental time was longer at higher densities. At higher densities, growth and development of smaller larvae were slowed, based on the relative difference in body length between competitors. When larger competitors emerged as adults or died, the growth of smaller larvae may have accelerated, resulting in increased variability of developmental times. The effect of larval density on adult body size was complex, with the largest body size found at the lowest density and a second peak of adult size at high-middle densities, with smaller adult body sizes found at low-middle, and high densities. Similarly, as with developmental time, the range of body size increased with increasing density. Examined food concentrations had no effect on larval mortality, but significantly affected developmental time, growth rate, and adult body size. At higher densities, larvae spent more time gathering food and were engaged in aggressive or antagonistic behaviors.     

Diapause pupal color diphenism induced by temperature and humidity conditions in Byasa alcinous (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

We investigated whether diapause pupae of Byasa alcinous exhibit pupal color diphenism (or polyphenism) similar to the diapause pupal color polyphenism shown by Papilio xuthus. All diapause pupae of B. alcinous observed in the field during winter showed pupal coloration of a dark-brown type. When larvae were reared and allowed to reach pupation under short-day conditions at 18 °C under a 60 ± 5% relative humidity, diapause pupae exhibited pupal color types of brown (33%), light-brown (25%), yellowish-brown (21%), diapause light-yellow (14%) and diapause yellow (7%). When mature larvae reared at 18 °C were transferred and allowed to reach pupation at 10 °C and 25 °C under a 60 ± 5% relative humidity after a gut purge, the developmental ratio of brown and light-brown, yellowish-brown, and diapause light-yellow and diapause yellow types was 91.2, 8.8 and 0.0% at 10 °C, and 12.2, 48.8 and 39.0% at 25 °C, respectively. On the other hand, when mature larvae reared at 18 °C were transferred and allowed to reach pupation at 10 °C, 18 °C and 25 °C under an over 90% relative humidity after a gut purge, the developmental ratio of brown and light-brown, yellowish-brown, and diapause light-yellow and diapause yellow types was 79.8, 16.9 and 3.3% at 10 °C, 14.5, 26.9 and 58.6% at 18 °C, and 8.3, 21.2 and 70.5% at 25 °C, respectively. These results indicate that diapause pupae of brown types are induced by lower temperature and humidity conditions, whereas yellow types are induced by higher temperature and humidity conditions. The findings of this study show that diapause pupae of B. alcinous exhibit pupal color diphenism comprising brown and diapause yellow types, and suggest that temperature and humidity experienced after a gut purge are the main factors that affect the diapause pupal coloration of B. alcinous as environmental cues.     

幼虫密度对二点委夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

【目的】在不同幼虫密度饲养条件下,研究二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone生长发育及繁殖的情况,明确幼虫密度对该害虫的室内种群增长的影响。【方法】本实验设置5个幼虫饲养密度即1,5,10,20和30头/瓶(750 mL),分别观察5个饲养密度下该虫的各个龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况。【结果】幼虫密度对该虫幼虫各龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况均有显著性影响。整个幼虫发育历期随着密度的增加而缩短,10头/瓶达到最短(18.27 d),之后随着幼虫密度的增加而显著延长;幼虫至蛹的存活率随着密度增高而显著下降,30头/瓶最低(39.37%)。蛹期随着密度的增加而延长(10头/瓶除外)。蛹重和每雌产卵量均以1头/瓶最高,随着幼虫密度的增加而显著下降。雌雄蛾寿命均以10头/瓶最长,与1和5头/瓶没有显著性差异。生命表分析显示:二点委夜蛾的种群增长指数以5头/瓶最高,幼虫密度过低或者过高均不利于种群增长。【结论】幼虫密度是影响二点委夜蛾种群增长的重要因子之一。     

Pupal diapause of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) mediated by larval host plants: pupal weight is important

Facultative diapause, a strategy that allows insects to initiate additional generations when conditions are favorable or to enter diapause when they are not, has a profound effect on the ecology and evolution of species. Most previous studies have concentrated on the role of photoperiod and temperature in inducing facultative diapause in insects. In contrast, here we studied pupal diapause mediated by larval host plants in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, and confirmed that pupal weight is a critical factor. Two groups of third instar H. armigera larvae, kept at 25 °C with L:D = 8:16 and 20 °C with photoperiod of L:D = 8:16, respectively, were fed on six host plants and on artificial diet (as a control) to determine how larval host plants affect diapause incidence and related traits (such as pupal weight and developmental duration). The data showed larval host plants affected diapause incidence significantly and the effects could be masked by low temperature. Further analysis showed that pupal size, not the length of the sensitive stage, affected the decision to enter diapause. In a further experiment, third-instar to final-stage larvae deprived of artificial diet for 2 days demonstrated a direct relationship between pupal weight and diapause incidence. These results suggest that larval host plants, by affecting pupal size, may influence diapause occurrence in H. armigera. This has important adaptive significance for both over-wintering survival and the possibility for completing an additional generation.     

粘虫幼虫密度对成虫飞行与生殖的影响

本文报道了不同幼虫密度下(1、10、20、30、40头/瓶-850m1)粘虫蛾飞行能力与产卵量的变化情况。对未取食1日龄成虫12h飞行能力的测定结果表明,不同幼虫密度羽化的成虫飞行力差异显著(P<0.05),其中以10头/瓶羽化的成虫飞行时间最长(平均225.4分),飞行距离最远(平均17.5km),飞行超过120min的个体为61.1%,超过10 km的为55%。其它处理的各项参数随幼虫密度的增加而下降。粘虫蛾的翅长、翅宽、翅面积和翅负荷随幼虫密度的增加而下降。除翊负荷外,其余各项参数在处理间的差异显著(P<0.05)。成虫飞行能力与蛹重或翅负荷不呈直线相关,但与蛹重具有一定的关系：当蛹重为300-400mg时, 强飞行个体均超过50%, 当小于300mg或大于400mg时,强飞行个体比例下降,当小于225mg时,强飞行个体为零。处理间的成虫产卵量差异显著(P<0.05),且随幼虫密度的增加而下降。密度内的蛹重与成虫产卵量的关系不明显,但密度间的蛹重与产卵量的关系高度相关(r=0.78,P<0.01)。这些结果表明,当粘虫幼虫密度达到一定的阈值时,便可能促使成虫迁飞,而不是等到种群密度很高时才进行迁飞。     

Effects of thermophotoperiod on growth parameters of Helicoverpa armigera

The effects of photoperiod and temperature on growth parameters of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions by exposing its larvae to fluctuating and alternating temperature regimes. Our data made evident that the interplay between photoperiod and temperature has a direct effect on growth parameter responses of H. armigera. However, the type of temperature regime (fluctuating or alternating) may enhance or diminish the effects of photoperiod. With fluctuating temperature, larval developmental time was significantly reduced with increasing photophase, irrespective of the diapause status later in the pupal stage; the lowest value was observed under continuous light conditions. With alternating temperature, larval developmental time was significantly decreased with the reduction in temperature amplitude, and with the coincidence of the thermophase with the scotophase. At both temperature regimes, no significant differences in pupal weight were observed between diapausing and non‐diapausing individuals, although, in most treatments, the diapausing pupae tended to be heavier than the non‐diapausing ones. The increased pupal weight of individuals destined for diapause is probably related to their longer larval developmental time. Knowing the effects of these factors on the variation of H. armigera growth is necessary in explaining phenomena associated with immature stages, and can lead to a more profound understanding of the potential for this insect to evolve in response to environmental changes.     

Quantitative short-day photoperiodic response in larval development and its adaptive significance in an adult-overwintering cerambycid beetle, Phytoecia rufiventris

The chrysanthemum longicorn beetle, Phytoecia rufiventris, overwinters in the adult stage and reproduces in spring. Larvae of this beetle develop during summer inside a host stem or root. In the present study, photoperiodic control of larval development and its adaptive significance were examined in this beetle using an artificial diet. Larvae showed a short-day photoperiodic response at 25 °C with a critical day length of around 14 h; larvae reared under short-day conditions pupated, whereas those reared under long-day conditions entered summer diapause with some supernumerary molts and did not pupate. A similar response was found at 30 °C, but with a shorter critical day length. Below the critical day length, a shorter day length corresponded to a shorter larval period. Larvae transferred from long-day conditions to various photoperiods showed a similar quantitative response. Field rearing of larvae starting at various times of year showed that pupation occurs within a relatively short period in early autumn. Field rearing of pupae and adults at various times indicated that only pupation in early autumn results in a high survival rate until winter. Earlier or later pupation led to a low survival rate due to death before overwintering in the adult and pupal stages, respectively. Thus, in P. rufiventris, timing of pupation regulated by the quantitative short-day photoperiodic response is vital for survival. Relatively lower developmental threshold in the pupal stage supports this hypothesis.     

Effect of dietary nitrogen on gypsy moth larval nutritional indices, development and lipid content

Nutritional indices, development rates, percent dry weights and total lipids were determined in gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar L.) reared on a high wheat germ (HWG) diet or diets prepared from lyophilized, ball-milled oak or pine foliage as the only source of dietary nitrogen (N). With regard to both total and proteinaceous N content, HWG diet>oak diet>pine diet. All nutritional indices measured were significantly lower in second instars fed pine diet vs. oak diet. Protein supplementation of pine diet with either casein or ovalbumin to bring total N up to the level present in oak diet resulted in small increased in approximate digestibility (AD) and effciency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), but relative growth rate (RGR) remained unaffected. The low RGR of larvae fed pine diet (unsupplemented or protein supplemented), as compared to those fed HWG or oak diet, was accompanied by significantly lower larval percent dry weight and percent total lipid. In contrast, RGR, larval percent dry weight and total lipid values were comparable in second instars fed HWG or oak diet. Insects reared from the first through the final instar on oak diet exhibited lower pupal weights compared to those reared on HWG. Casein addition to oak diet generally resulted in even more extended larval development times and further reduced pupal weights, but wheat germ addition to oak diet did not alter development rates and caused an increase in pupal weights.     

Imidazole derivative KK-42 boosts pupal diapause incidence and delays diapause termination in several insect species

The imidazole derivative KK-42 is a synthetic insect growth regulator known previously to be capable of averting embryonic diapause in several Lepidoptera, but whether it also affects diapauses occurring in other developmental stages remains unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of KK-42 on pupal diapause in two species of Lepidoptera, the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi and the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea, and in one species of Diptera, the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis. In A. pernyi, KK-42 delayed pupal diapause termination under the long day conditions that normally break diapause in this species. Likewise, in H. zea, KK-42 delayed termination of pupal diapause, a diapause that, in this species, is normally broken by high temperature. KK-42-treated pupae of these two species eventually terminated diapause and successfully emerged as adults, but the timing of diapause termination was significantly delayed. KK-42 also significantly increased the incidence of pupal diapause in H. zea and S. crassipalpis when administered to larvae that were environmentally programmed for diapause, but it was not capable of inducing pupal diapause in H. zea if larvae were reared under environmental conditions that do not normally evoke the diapause response. Experiments with H. zea showed that the effect of KK-42 on pupal diapause was dose- and stage-dependent, but not temperature-dependent. Results presented here are consistent with a link between KK-42 and the ecdysteroid signaling pathway that regulates pupal diapause.