Laboratory Evaluation of the Novel Naturally Derived Compound Spinosad against Ceratitiscapitata

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of the naturally derived compound spinosad on Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera, Tephritidae). The organophosphate fenthion was used as a standard. Direct dose-dependent mortality and reduced fecundity were observed in oral treatment of adults with spinosad. The LC₉₀ values 14 h and seven days after treatment were 19·50 and 0·49 mg litre^?1 respectively. Fenthion was less active (the LC₅₀ eight days after treatment was 1·17 mg litre^?1) and did not affect the fecundity of the fly. Adults were also very susceptible to spinosad and fenthion via residual contact. For spinosad, 100% mortality was recorded 48 h after treatment for a dose of 10 mg litre^?1. Spinosad was more effective than fenthion in suppressing larval development when neonate larvae were reared on treated diet supplemented with a range of concentrations from 0·02 to 0·83 mg kg^?1 diet. Last-instar larvae were much less susceptible to spinosad or fenthion when exposed via dipping or when they pupated in treated medium and both products had similar performance. A lack of ovicidal activity was observed in direct egg-treatments with spinosad but significant reductions from 1 mg litre^?1 onwards were recorded for fenthion.