Maroua Ferdenache
Badji Mokhtar University, Algeria
Title: Preimaginal exposure to azadirachtin affects fecundity and oviposition site preference in two successive generations of Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Biography
Biography: Maroua Ferdenache
Abstract
Azadirachtin, is a biorational insecticide, is one of the prominent biopesticide commercialized today and represent an alternative to conventional insecticides. In this study, we aimed at assessing the lethal and sublethal behavioral and physiological effects of azadirachtin on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) as biological model. Early third instar larvae (L3) of parental generation (F0) were exposed topically to azadirachtin at two doses DL25 (0.28 µg) and DL50 (0.68 µg). Its effects were evaluated on fecundity and oviposition site preference with and without choice in two successive generations (F0: exposed and F1: non-exposed). Azadirachtin affected fecundity of flies by a significant reduction of the number of eggs laid of the two tested generations. Results showed that, females present a clear preference for oviposition in control medium. Pre-imaginal exposure (L3) to azadirachtin increased aversion to this substance in comparison to naive flies. Results strongly support that azadirachtin-induced transgenerationaly inheritance of behavioral traits that may be due to epigenetic modifications.