Toxical E xical Effect of E ect of Euphorbia Guy uphorbia Guyoniana Aqueous Extr oniana Aqueous Extracts (Euphorbiaceae) on Mor uphorbiaceae) on Mortality, Larval Development and Sexual elopment and Sexual Behavior of Drosophila Melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Euphorbia guyoniana (Boiss and Reut) is a plant of Euphorbiaceae family common throughout the northern Sahara and pre-desert regions. In traditional medicine, they are used in the treatment of various infections. Euphorbiaceae contain various chemical compounds families such as alkaloids, which give them a toxic effect. The toxic effects of seeds decoctions on mortality and development of 3rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster are studied. A treatment by ingestion shows a good larvicidal activity of this extract. It was shown that the chemical compounds contained in the extract, act on the fly development cycle as most of pupae do not reach adulthood. We also studied the delayed effect of E. guyoniana aqueous extract on D. melanogaster sexual behavior. The ingestion of sublethal concentration (25µg/ml) affects nuptial courtship and different sexual behavior phases as well as mutual recognition of males and females.

Keywords

• dipetra
• biopesticide
• toxicity
• development