THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF Musca domestica (L). (HOUSE FLY) IN AKURE METROPOLIS TO SYNTHETIC AND BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES

Abstract

The house fly, Musca domestica (L.), is a major sanitary pest of humans and domesticated animals. This study investigated the susceptibility of M. domestica collected from six locations in Akure metropolis to synthetic insecticide (Dimethyl dichlorovinyl phosphate, DDVP) and acetone extracts of two botanicals; Ricinus communis L. ( seeds) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (leaves) under the ambient temperature of 29±1° C and 65±5% relative humidity. The sampled locations of house fly are Alagbaka, Aule, Oda town, Oke-Aro, Oja-Oba and Shagari village. six concentrations (including control) of the insecticides were used for the bioassay in this study. The knockdown effect in larvae and adult mortality were recorded. The knockdown and mortality data were statistically analysed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and the data means were separated using Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) test with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The result obtained from the larvicidal, adulticidal and knockdown bioassay showed that housefly population from Alagbaka (100%) was the most susceptible, while Oja-Oba population was the most tolerant to DDVP with varying percentages for the larvicidal, adulticidal and knockdown activities. For R. communis assay, the housefly population from Alagbaka (77.50%) was also the most susceptible while those from Oke-Aro (67.50%) were the most tolerant in the larvicidal activity. Alagbaka housefly population was the most susceptible in terms of knockdown ((90%) and adult mortality (80%) while those from Oja-Oba (knockdown - 67.50%; adult mortality- 57.50%) were the most tolerant compared to other locations. For N. tabacum, Alagbaka housefly population were the most susceptible (larva mortality- 97.50%: knockdown and adult mortality- 100%) while flies from Oja-Oba were the most tolerant (larva mortality- 82.50%: knockdown - 80%; adult mortality- 72.50%). In conclusion, the house fly population from Alagbaka were the most susceptible and the Oja-Oba population the most tolerant to the insecticides used in this study. It is imperative to have baseline data for synthetic and botanical insecticide susceptibility of M. domestica in various parts of the city. This will go a long way in helping those who are responsible for the implementation of house fly control programmes in the country. The government should control the rate and pattern at which structures spring up in urban centres. Individuals should also ensure proper hygiene to control fly population.