Comparative activity of three inhibitors of the angiotensin converting enzyme on growth, development and ecdysteroid contents of the mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller

Abstract

Three angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, enalapril, lisinopril and captopril were tested in vivo by topical application on growth, development and whole body ecdysteroids in Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae), an important pest in stored products worldwide. The compounds were diluted in acetone and applied topically (10 μg/2 μl) on newly molted pupae. Results show that treatments delayed the pupal development and caused a large decrease in successful adult formation. Treatments had no significant effect on the pupal body weight at 1 and 3 days. Only enalapril at day 5 increases significantly the weight. The enzyme-immunoassay measurements of ecdysteroids in whole body extracts revealed that only lisinopril reduced significantly the hormonal contents at day 3.

Keywords: Ephestia kuehniella, development, growth, ecdysteroids, angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril