Journal article
Erythritol ingestion impairs adult reproduction and causes larval mortality in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Journal of applied entomology (1986), v 142(1-2), pp 37-42
01 Feb 2018
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Previous feeding studies showed the polyalcohol erythritol was toxic when ingested by adult laboratory fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). We asked whether erythritol could additionally affect fly population growth either through larval toxicity or through effects on adult reproduction. Females did not avoid laying on food substrates with 1M erythritol; laying rate on 1M erythritol food was similar to control food when females were given free-choice access. Eggs laid or placed on 0.5M to 2.5M erythritol foods hatched at normal rates, suggesting erythritol was not toxic to eggs upon contact. Drosophila melanogaster larvae readily consumed food containing 1M erythritol, but none of these larvae reached pupation. Longevity of larvae feeding on in 1M erythritol food was significantly reduced relative to controls, and mean +/- SE larval lifespan on erythritol was 1.54 +/- 0.10days (max. = 3days). Exposing cohorts of second-instar larvae to food with varying concentrations of erythritol showed the LD50 (at 24hr) concentration was approximately 0.6M. Taken together, these results suggest erythritol could be employed in effective larval-sink baits. Adults flies fed with erythritol produced significantly fewer eggs on days when they fed on 1M erythritol, and egg production was significantly reduced for one additional day after the adults were moved to control food. These findings suggest erythritol is rapid and effective at temporarily suppressing D. melanogaster reproduction, increasing its potential for use in effective insect population control.
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Details
- Title
- Erythritol ingestion impairs adult reproduction and causes larval mortality in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
- Creators
- S. O'Donnell - Drexel UniversityK. Baudier - Drexel UniversityK. Fiocca - Drexel UniversityD. R. Marenda - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied entomology (1986), v 142(1-2), pp 37-42
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- Drexel Venture Fund Eppley Foundation for Research
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000419830900005
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85019617327
- Other Identifier
- 991019167966904721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Entomology