Studies on control of house flies in Egypt by chemosterilants. II. Effect of metepa on Musca sorbens.

Abstract

Successful sterilization of adults of Musca sorbens Wiedemann was achieved using metepa either mixed with the adult food or as a residual film to which adult flies were exposed. In both cases females were found to be more susceptible than males to the effect of the chemosterilant. Mixed with the adult food, metepa caused complete sterility in males at a concentration of 1.6%. In females this occurred at 0.8-1.2% and the total output of eggs per female was greatly reduced to less than 5% of the control. Oviposition was inhibited at 0.8-2.0%. Tarsal contact with residues of metepa on glass surface showed that concentrations of 10 and 25 mg(0.09 m2 caused complete sterility in males and inhibition of oviposition in females. No oviposition occurred when the females were exposed to a residue of 5 mg(0.09 m2. Successful competition of metepa-sterilized and normal males in mating with normal females was achieved at ratios of 100:10:10 and 50:10:10, in which case 100% sterility was obtained.