Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is the mechanism of action for Juvenile Hormone Analogs?

1. They stimulate the growth of adult insects

2. They mimic natural insect hormones

3. They act as food attractants

4. They increase reproductive rates in pests

The correct answer is: They mimic natural insect hormones

Juvenile Hormone Analogs function by mimicking the natural juvenile hormone present in insects. This hormone plays a critical role in the development and growth regulation of insects, particularly in maintaining larval characteristics and inhibiting the transition to adulthood. When these analogs are introduced into an insect's system, they deceive the insect's endocrine system into maintaining its juvenile stage. This can disrupt normal growth patterns, prevent maturity, and interfere with reproduction, ultimately leading to population control. By imitating the juvenile hormone, these analogs can delay the metamorphosis from larva to pupa and subsequently adult, which is key to their effectiveness in pest management strategies. The other options, while potentially related to insect physiology, do not accurately describe the primary mechanism of action for these compounds.