Effect of polyene antibiotics on the growth and development of the house fly.

Abstract

Polyene antibiotics, known binding and sequestering agents of sterols required in the diet of Musca domestica L., were evaluated for their ability to disrupt growth and development of larval house flies. Of 12 antibiotics tested, only filipin demonstrated marked inhibition of growth and larvicidal activity; it was ineffective as a chemosterilant in the adult diet at 100 ppm. The chemical level of filipin necessary for control of the larvae was greater than 100× that required for the standard larvicides, diazinon and trichlorfon, to be effective.