Chemosterilant and insecticidal activity of mixed aflatoxins against Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera).

Certain strains of the fungi Aspergillus flc~rus and A. parasitic-us produce a group of mycotoxic metabolites commonly known as the aflatoxins (Diener and Davis, 1969). The aflatoxins have been studied extensively since they were found first in peanuts, stored grains, and other agricultural products (Golumbic and Kulick, 1969). Aflatoxin B, (AFB,) is a known hepatocarcinogen and hepatotoxic agent (Wogan, 1968). Additional aflatoxins include B, (AFB,). G, (AFG,), and G, (AFGJ. Aflatoxin has insecticidal effects upon Heliotlzis I-irescens (Gudauskas et al.. 1967), Drosuplzila melanogaster (Lalor et al., 1976), Musca domestica (Beard and Walton, 1971), Epilachna \,igintiopunctatcze (Krishnamoorthy and Naidu, 1971). and Trombidium gigas (Sannasi and Amirthavalli, 1970). Chemosterilant effects were produced by aflatoxin in Aedes aegypti, M. domestica, and D. melanogaster (Matsumara and Knight, 1967); Sitophilus oryzae (Srinath et al., 1973); and T. gigas (Sannasi and Amirthavalli, 1970). The present study was undertaken on the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, compar-