The insect growth regulator, fenoxycarb, ethyl [2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl] carbamate, causes retrogression of the ovaries of mated queens of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Fenoxycarb completely suppresses growth of the follicular epithelium, nurse cells, and cytoplasm/yolkplasm. Most developing eggs are resorbed and no new workers are produced. Thus, prolonged exposure of the queen to the compound causes death of the entire colony. The ovaries return to normal if the queen is removed from exposure to the chemical.
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Glancey et al. (1988) studied this question.
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