Toxic effects of Cleome arabica L. (Capparidaceae) aqueous extracts on mortality and sexual behavior of Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

ABSTRACT

Cleome arabica is a spontaneous plant in arid zones,toxic and has hallucinogenic effects. In this work, we seek toevaluate the direct and delayed effect of the aqueous extractson the vinegar fly Dorsophila melanogaster, laboratory modelpar excellence. Treatment is by ingestion on second instarlarvae (L2). The results show that mortality rates can reach90% after 15 days of treatment as we recorded a disturbanceof fly development. Observation of sexual behavior intreatment-emergent adults indicates that C. arabica actsnegatively on the course of the different sequences leading tomating in Drosophila.(AU)