Influence of Plant Extracts on the Life History and Population Development of House Fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)

The present studies examined the use of plant extracts viz., Niaz boo (Ocimum basilicum L.), Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides (J Ellis), Sanatha (Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.) and Lantana (Lantana camara (Linn.) as oviposition attractant and larval growth promoter/inhibitor on the house fly (Musca domestica L.). The plant chemicals in different final concentrations (25 and 50%) were mixed in a larval media prepared by mixing wheat bran, dried milk and brewer’s yeast. D. viscosa acted as strong attractant for house fly with minimum larval duration (5.25 and 3.5 days), maximum larval (83.11 and 77.78 %) and pupal (73.22 and 71.11 %) survival, female sex ratio, intrinsic rate of increase (0.31 and 0.26), maximum biotic potential (0.67 and 0.77) and fecundity (259 and 242.4 eggs female) in 25 and 50% concentrations, respectively. L. camara was a strong repellent for oviposition and showed a significant larvicidal activity, too. Gardenia showed maximum development time (11.20 days), less intrinsic rate of increase (0.213) and male sex ratio. O. basilicum was repellent for oviposition (92.56 eggs female) with minimum biotic potential (0.46), intrinsic rate of increase (0.19), less larval and pupal survival (55.56 and 54.00 %) at 50% concentration. The reasons for these differences and their role in the development of the house fly are discussed.