Lethal and repellent effects of the botanical p-anisaldehyde on Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

Authors: Showler, Allan; Harlien, Jessica

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/12/2018
Publication Date: 11/12/2018
Citation: Showler, A., Harlien, J.L. 2018. Lethal and repellent effects of the botanical p-anisaldehyde on Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 112:485-493. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy351.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy351

Interpretive Summary: The house fly is a globally distributed nuisance and disease-carrying urban and livestock pest. Control mostly relies on synthetic insecticides but resistance to them has become problematic. p-Anisaldehyde, a compound found in many edible plants, was assessed for its effects on different life stages of house flies. While p-anisaldehyde, sprayed onto adult flies, caused >80% mortality by 30 min at a 30% concentration, total egg mortality on treated filter paper was achieved using a 0.1% concentration, and the concentration needed to kill 90% of eggs was 0.024%. Only 0.5 ml and 1 ml of 1.5% p-anisaldehyde mixed into 100 g of cow manure curtailed pupation. Two ml of 0.75% p-anisaldehyde reduced pupation by nearly 96%. Further, 0.075% p-anisaldehyde strongly repelled substantial numbers of adult M. domestica for at least 4 h. Further, complete feeding deterrence involving blood-soaked pads was achieved throughout a 2-h bioassay in response to penetrable fabric treated with 0.3% p-anisaldehyde and placed over the blooded pad. This study demonstrates that p-anisaldehyde is strongly bioactive against M. domestica and it should be considered for development into commercial formulations.

Technical Abstract: The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a globally distributed nuisance and disease-carrying urban and livestock pest. Control mostly relies on synthetic insecticides but resistance to them has become problematic. p-Anisaldehyde, a compound found in many edible plants, was assessed for its effects on different life stages of M. domestica. While p-anisaldehyde, applied as an adult contact spray, caused >80% mortality by 30 min at a 30% concentration, egg mortality on treated substrate was complete at 0.1%, and the LC90 was 0.024%. Only 0.5 ml and 1 ml of 1.5% p-anisaldehyde mixed into 100 g of cow manure curtailed pupation. When the amount of p-anisaldehyde was increased to 2 ml, 0.75% p-anisaldehyde reduced pupation by 95.5%. In static air olfactometer tubes, 0.075% p-anisaldehyde repelled substantial numbers of adult M. domestica within 30 min. Repellency of 60% - 78% was maintained throughout the 4-h bioassay. Further, complete feeding deterrence involving blood-soaked pads was achieved throughout a 2-h bioassay in response to penetrable fabric treated with 0.3% p-anisaldehyde and placed over the blooded pad. This study demonstrates that p-anisaldehyde is strongly bioactive against M. domestica in terms of lethal and nonlethal effects.