Application of rotenone as a bio-insecticide for controlling the medically important blowfly, Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Chrysomya albiceps (C. albecips) is a native species of the tropical and subtropical African regions, is one of the most pervasive distributed Calliphorids, possessing detrimental ecological, medicinal, and veterinary implications. It is the causative agent of primary and secondary cutaneous myiasis and contributes to human and livestock infections as a mechanical carrier of several pathogens. The current research was to assess the effectiveness of rotenone as a plant toxin in controlling C. albiceps through evaluating its effect on different developmental stages. Rotenone has an impact on a variety of biological aspects in C. albiceps, as evidenced by decreased larval length and weight, the postponement of larval and adult development, and noticeably higher mortality rates. The effects of rotenone on various developmental parameters, egg development, egg load, oviposition capacity, and female preference were investigated. Ovarian examination of treated females revealed persistent retardation of follicular development, reducing egg load and inhibiting germarial activity. Rotenone additionally inhibits oviposition abilities and interferes with oviposition preference, decreasing the offspring’s survival rate. Hence, rotenone could be considered a promising bio-insecticide to control C. albiceps.