Megaselia scalaris (Lw.) (Dipt., Phoridae) for the bioassay of organophosphorus insecticides

Abstract

A simple procedure for mass-rearing Megaselia scalaris (Lw.) is described, and the suitability of one-day-old adults for bioassay of organophosphorus insecticides is compared with that of Drosophila melanogaster Mg., and Musca domestica nebulo F. by exposure to films of parathion, dichlorvos and malathion. LC50 values of Megaselia scalaris for parathion and malathion, but not for dichlorvos, were of a different order to those of the other two test insects. Males were more susceptible than females to parathion and malathion. Mixed populations would therefore be useful in bioassay of organophosphorus compounds, but greater sensitivity would be achieved by using males.