Investigation of the effects of boric acid on development, sterility and histology of Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) larvae

The species Sarcophaga africa (Wiedemann, 1824), which is a cosmopolit species spread all over the world and belong to the Sarcophagidae family. It is a vector which that transfer pathogens causing health problems and serious economic losses in humans and animals. Boric acid is a compound of boron element constitutes the highest reserves in our country and have been used to struggle harmful insects very effectively. In this study, it is aimed to determine the effects of BA, on the development and sterility of some species of Sarcophagidae family which spread all over the world and cause health problems and serious economic losses in human and animals. For this purpose, the larvae obtained from cultured flies were used and experiments were performed with 5 replicates. Control group and four different experimental groups with 14, 28, 42 and 56 mg BA were added to 100 g of dietary. The effects of BA on larval growth time, body weight, length, pupa development, length-diameter and sterility were investigated. Moreover, effects of BA on digestive system histology were investigated. As a result, it was determined that BA had a significantly effect on the development of larvae in groups II, III and IV (p <0.05); however, compared to the control group the larvae of the first group treated with 14 mg BA increased in height and weight, and development time decreased. It has been found that in 5 consecutive generations of the larvae treated with BA, the number of larvae released, the length and weight of the larvae, and the length of the adults were decreased. Histopathological changes in the midgut of groups II, III and IV supported those findings.