EFFECTS OF CYROMAZINE ON ADULT C-CAPITATA (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) ON MORTALITY AND REPRODUCTION

The effects of the insect growth inhibitor cyromazine on Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), reproduction after adult t reatment were studied. Continuous feeding of the toxicant in the drink ing water during 12 d following adult emergence significantly affected fecundity and fertility at high doses and also affected larval develo pment of the progeny. Egg production was reduced by concentrations of 500 mu g/ml onward, ranging from 55 to 79.6% reduction, whereas signif icant reductions in the percentage of egg hatch were only recorded fro m 5,000 mu g/ml onward. Neither gross qualitative nor quantitative dif ferences in the ovaries of treated insects could be detected under the light microscope. Effects on larval development were conspicuous and a significant reduction in the number of pupae formed was recorded at every dose (from 10 mu g/ml), reaching 100% for 10,000 mu g/ml. Pupal development was not disturb;ed. Adult longevity was affected only at t he high doses. Preoviposition feeding (4 d) did not cause any effect o n the studied parameters, although number of eggs laid by untreated fe males was always higher than that of treated ones.