Effects of targets impregnated with the chitin synthesis inhibitor triflumuron on the blowfly Lucilia sericata

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of exposure of adults of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) for 24 h to cloth targets impregnated with the chitin synthesis inhibitor triflumuron plus sucrose or sucrose only, were considered. When both male and female L. sericata were exposed to targets treated with sucrose only, the percentage egg hatch varied between 60–75%. When both sexes were exposed to targets treated with 10% triflumuron plus sucrose the percentage egg hatch varied between 3–7%. When females alone were exposed to triflumuron, prior to the introduction of unexposed males, egg hatch varied between 4–14%. The exposure of males alone to 10% triflumuron treated targets, prior to the introduction of unexposed virgin females, did not give any consistent significant decrease in the mean percentage egg hatch. However, repetition of this trial with males exposed to targets treated with 15 or 20% triflumuron, resulted in a percentage egg hatch of 3.1% and 10.3%, respectively. These results suggest that at relatively high target concentrations, males can transfer effective doses of triflumuron to unexposed virgin females.The exposure of adults to triflumuron treated targets did not significantly increase the mortality of either male or female L. sericata. Furthermore, bioassays showed that there was no significant decline in the ovicidal effectiveness of targets treated with 10% triflumuron and sucrose solution following exposure to sun and rain for up to 8 weeks in 1995 and 1996.The results suggest that targets treated with triflumuron suspension concentrate and sucrose may form the basis of an effective system for the control of L. sericata in the field. However, the relatively high concentrations of triflumuron required and the low efficiency with which males are able to transfer effective doses to unexposed females may diminish one of the main theoretical advantages of using a chitin synthesis inhibitor, such as triflumuron, over a conventional insecticide.