Chemical Sterilization of the Screw-Worm

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Treatment of the screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel)) with apholate (2,2,4,4,6,6-hexa(1-aziridinyl)-2,4,6-triphospha-1,3,5,triazine) resulted in complete sexual sterility in many instances. Sterilization was accoumplished in either the larval, prepupal, or adult stage, but pupal treatment resulted in only partial sterility. Sterilization was achieved by treatment of media containing the larvae, by dusting prepupae or adults, by dipping prepupae, by topical applications to adults, or by feeding the adults the apholate. Treatment with the compound also caused a reduction in the number of eggs produced. In nearly all tests, females were more affected than males. Slight differences in the age of the insect within each stage treated affected the control of reproduction. Some mortality was experienced when larvae or prepupae were treated, but no noticeable mortality occurred with adults treated at sterilizing dosages. Morphological examination showed a reduction in the size of the ovaries and testes and a distortion and reduction in number of the eggs in the ovaries. Treatment of larvae caused a marked change in the shape and form of the resulting pupae and adults.