Mortality effects of Amphotericin B on House Fly, Musca domestica (Diptera Muscidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

House fly, Musca domestica, is a fly of the suborder Cyclorrhapha, (Diptera: Muscidae). It is a cosmopolitan pest that carries pathogens on its body, faeces and can cause food borne illnesses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Amphotericin B on house flies using specific tools such as poison baits. The concentrations of poison baits used were 0.5%, 1%, 1. 5% and 2%. Amphotericin B -based bait was used as positive control while the no bait (water, sugar syrup and granular sugar only) was used as negative control. Post feeding, 9.88%, 10%, 12.2%, 12%, and 12.23% of house flies were found dead after 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days follow up respectively. Amphotericin B significantly reduced the density of house flies. We recommend that the effectiveness of Amphotericin B on wild strains of house flies and other nuisance insects such as cockroaches be investigated in future.