Diatomaceous Earth-Induced Alterations in the Reproductive Attributes in the Housefly Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract

Using concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8mg diatomaceous earth (DE) 100 mL-1 larval food medium, a mean LC50 value of 0.6636mg was determined for the 3rd-instar larvae of the housefly Musca domestica. Time-course mortalities of the larvae at the determined LC50 level were assessed at 24h, 48h and 72h post-treatments. Finally, DE-induced changes in such vital reproductive attributes as egg-laying, egg-hatch, larval duration, number of dead larvae, pupal duration, number of dead pupae, number of adults emerged and female ratios from parental through F2 generations were recorded. Results indicated that DE could be used as an efficient larvicide against M. domestica and it was capable of inducing deleterious effects on all the reproductive parameters at the determined LC50. These findings have potential implications because the present DE concentration might be utilized for the control of this important vector species under household as well as field conditions.