Activity of novaluron on Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae (Diptera, Calliphoridae)
myiasis; control; insect growth disruptor; benzoylphenyurea;
Myiasis induce by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae cause great morbidity and mortality, especially in domestic animals such as cattle and sheep, causing great economic losses to agribusiness, in addition to being a health problem. The growth of resistance together with environmental and health concerns, associated with the continuous use of some of the insecticides, led to the search for new alternatives, the IGRs (Insect Growth Regulators), which are chemical compounds that interfere with their growth and development, acting mainly in immature forms, among them Novaluron (inhibitor of chitin synthesis) was shown to be effective in the control of diptera. In the present study, first instar larvae and pre-pupae were tested in vitro at different concentrations. The methodologies used were adapted for each stage, the first instar larvae were submitted to a larval diet plus novaluron and the pre-pupae to filter paper impregnated with it, the biological cycle was monitored to determine at which stage it would demonstrate an insecticidal effect. Larvicidal activity of 93.3% was observed at a concentration of 0.05ppm (µg.g-1) and 100% of pupicidal activity at a concentration of 0.07ppm (µg.g-1) in the test with first instar larvae, for pre -pupae showed a pupicidal activity of 94.1% at a concentration of 100ppm (2.0 µg.cm-2). The lethal concentrations for larvae and pupae were, respectively, 0.010ppm (µg.g-1) and 21ppm (0.42 µg.cm-2). Based on these results, it could be affirmed that novaluron has a larvicidal and pupicidal effect against first instar larvae of C hominivorax, and inhibition of adult emergence for tests with pre-pupae.