Chemosterilization of the Queensland fruit fly, Dacus tryoni

Abstract

Of a number of candidate sterilants tested against Dacus tryoni, three mutagens (HMPA, TEPA and TMAC) were effective against both sexes. With HMPA the margin between sterilizing and lethal doses was narrow, but with the others it was wide. Males sterilized by HMPA or TEPA taken by mouth were slightly less effective than untreated males in securing mates. Males sterilized by TMAC applied topically appeared to be hypercompetitive, but this result was probably caused by the sterilant having been spread to the untreated flies with which they were caged. Reserpine produced a slight reduction in both the fecundity and fertility of the females. With repeated application, ketodecenoic acid slightly reduced female fecundity, but two other growth regulators β-ecdysone and the juvenile hormone analogue Altosid, were ineffective.