Sensitivity differences displayed by Drosophila melanogaster larvae of different ages to the toxic effects of growth on media containing aflatoxin B1.

Using Drosophila melanogaster, the relative sensitivities of various larval stages to the toxic effects of growth on media supplemented with either 0.44 or 0.88 ppm aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were determined. Two strains of fruit flies were tested: strain A-11 which is relatively resistant to AFB1 induced toxicity, and strain A-9 which is quite sensitive. Eggs, mid-first, mid-second and early-, mid- and late-third instar larvae were transferred onto AFB1 media and allowed to complete larval and pupal development and eclose as adults. At the 0.44 ppm concentration, strain A-11 showed no effect, while only first instar larvae of strain A-9 showed significant mortality rates for first instar larvae, but the A-9 larvae die at higher rates than the A-11 larvae. In addition, second and third instar larvae of strain A-9 show significant mortality rates when grown at 0.88 ppm AFB1, while these stages are not affected in strain A-11.