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.

Key words: Ephestia kuehniella, development, growth, ecdysteroids, angiotensin converting enzyme, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril.