Pale coloration in Aphis fabae reared on beans treated with the plant growth regulator, ethylene‐bis‐nitrourethane

Abstract

Aphis fabae reared on broad bean plants treated with the experimental growth stimulator ethylene‐bis‐nitrourethane were extremely pale in colour and this persisted for the life of the individual, even when first instar nymphs were transferred from treated to untreated plants. Pale aphids had less than half the amounts of the pigments protoaphin and aphinin that were present in normal aphids. It is concluded that the aphids probably received a compound which inhibited pigment formation from the treated plants; the chelating properties of the metabolite of the compound in plants are consistent with this conclusion.