Influence of ecdysterone, precocene and compounds with juvenile hormone activity on induction, termination and maintenance of diapause in the parasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis

ABSTRACT. Using the Galleria bioassay, no difference could be found between the JH titre of diapausing and developing Nasonia larvae. Compared to the values found in some Lepidoptera, the JH titres in Nasonia larvae are low, c. 14 Galleria units/g live weight. Induction of diapause could not be brought about by topical application of JH I, JH analogues, precocene, or ecdysterone to the maternal generation, nor by treating eggs or larvae with compounds with JH activity. Diapause was easily terminated by topical application of ecdysterone, however. If ecdysterone treatment was preceded by JH-treatment, the percentage of larvae terminating diapause was reduced: JH II seems to be more potent than JH I or JH III in this effect if the interval between JH and ecdysterone treatment is 72 h.