Apholate as a Chemosterilant for Drosophila melanogaster

In laboratory studies, 0.5 or 1.0% of apholate formulated in bait and 0.5% of apholate applied as a contact spray, as a residue on glass, or by submersion, effectively sterilized adult males and females of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. Untreated females mated to treated males laid nonviable eggs. Treated females mated to untreated males laid reduced numbers of eggs that were highly viable in some instances. Fresh bait containing 1.0% apholate sterilized male flies more effectively than did the same formulated bait several days old. Longevity of male flies was not reduced by apholate treatment. Longevity of female flies may have been slightly reduced by baits containing 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0% apholate and by contact spray but not by residue or submersion treatments.