TOXICITY OF ANETHOLE AND ITS EFFECTS ON EGG-PRODUCTION OF CERATITIS-CAPITATA WIED. (DIPT., TEPHRITIDAE)

We report the effects of anethole on adult Ceratitis capitata Wied. (D iptera, Tephritidae) which cause serious damage to fruit crops. Becaus e of the toxicological and environmental pollution due to the indiscri minate use of organophosphates against the endophagous larvae, the con trol of this pest is now mainly directed against the adults, by the ap plication of bait sprays. Considerable toxic effects have been obtaine d by oral administration to adults of nutritive formulations containin g 5% anethole with some hydrolised commercial proteins. In this test w e observed high values of mortality (85% after 24 h) and a total inhib ition of reproductive activity. The toxic effect produced by oral admi nistration of the compound tested appears to be correlated to irrevers ible damage to the gut of the medfly. These results acquire a particul ar importance in view of the introduction of alternative methods for t he control of the medfly. In particular, our objective is the testing of relevant formulations of this active principle in field. The use of anethole combined with protein baits, which can be used in the open f ield, is therefore particularly promising.