Biological activities of some plant materials against the housefly – Musca domestica.

Abstract

The seed of Peganum harmala and leaves of Acalypha indica, Carica papaya, Santalum album and Calotropis gigantica were screened for biological activity against the larval-pupal and pupal-adult transformation stages of the housefly Musca domestica. All the plant materials screened, except Carica papaya, prolonged the life of larvae, hindered larval-pupal transformation and reduced pupal weight considerably. Eclosion of the pupae was also hindered to varying extents by all the plants tested. The plants were rated in order of efficacy and the likelihood of the occurrence of desirable principles in the plant materials for housefly management is discussed.
Key Words: Housefly; Musca domestica; Insect control; Plant extracts.