Effect of tetracycline hydrochloride on the physical and chemical properties of Heliothis virescens larvae.

The effects of various levels of tetracycline hydrochloride on the feeding habits, larval growth, and the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins of Heliothis virescens were studied. Regression analysis showed that larval weight, fatty acids and glycogen decreased exponentially with increasing concentration of antibiotic, whereas protein showed a linear decrease. Larval feeding was initially decreased when antibiotics were added to the diet but there was no difference after 24 hr.