Effect of Topsoil Treated with J2581 on Reproduction in the Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Prepupae of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis , Hendel, were exposed to topsoil treated with a benzyl-l,3-benzodioxole derivative (BBD), J2581 (5-ethoxy-6-[4-methoxyphenyl] methyl-l,3-benzodioxole). At a concentration range of 0.83-13.20 mg J2581 per g of soil, pupation, adult emergence, and egg production were not affected, but egg hatch was significantly reduced. J2581 activity in soil was retained for ≥30 d at concentrations >4 mg/g soil. When soil was subjected to temperatures of 25, 35, and 45°C for 1 h, activity was reduced. The activity was still significantly higher than in soil treated with acetone alone. Crossing experiments between treated and control males and females revealed that males were primarily affected by J2581. Spermatozoa in the testes of treated males lacked motility. Spermatozoa were also absent in a significant number of spermathecae from females mated to treated males. Rec-assays for potential mutagenicity of 10 BBDs were all negative.