Effects of spinosad, zingiber officinale and allium sativum on chrysomyia albiceps larvae: biological, histological and ultrastructural studies

ABSTRACT

Chrysomyia albiceps fly is associated with animal and human myiasis and is a potential mechanical transmitter of pathogens. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, including Egypt. To examine the effects of natural products as spinosad and water extracts of ginger roots of Zingiber officinale and garlic fruits of Allium sativum on Chrysomyia albiceps larvae aiming to establish safe control methods. C. albiceps flies were reared in the laboratory at 28 +/- 2°C. Adults were offered sugar solution and pieces of minced meat in Petri dishes for feeding and as media for oviposition. Larvae were fed minced meat to which was added one of three compounds spinosad, water extract of either Z. officinale or A. sativum. Larvae and pupae were monitored for development to the adult stage. Biological, histological and scanning electron microscopic studies were conducted to investigate the effects of these compounds as control measures against C. albiceps larvae. All tested materials affected biological aspects of larvae. In histological sections, spinosad proved more potent causing decrease in cuticle thickness and integument degenerative changes. Using scanning electron microscopy, Z. officinale and A. sativum extracts appeared to cause changes in the cuticle and moderate degenerative changes in the integument. Spinosad, Z. officinale and A. sativum affected survival of C. albiceps larvae and could be used effectively in control of larvae and prevention of myiasis