The Correlation Between Lipid Content and Per Cent Mortality of the Alfalfa Weevil to Heptachlor and Malathion

Abstract

A study was made of the amount of body fat and per cent mortality of the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) treated with heptachlor and malathion. Body fat and toxicity were determined using weevils 1-54 days old. With heptachlor the per cent mortality decreased as the per cent body fat increased. With malathion there was little change. The greatest change in per cent mortality and per cent fat occurred between the 7th and 14th days in age of weevils. From the 35th to 54th days of age, weevils did not change in per cent fat or mortality.