Studies on the toxicity of cypermethrin and fenvalerate in different strains of Drosophila melanogaster Meig. (Insecta, Diptera).

To improve our knowledge of pyrethroid toxicity mechanisms, Drosophila melanogaster was chosen as a model species, with well-defined characteristics. This study reports the results of the toxic effects of cypermethrin and fenvalerate on larvae and adults of four D. melanogaster strains. Our results show that cypermethrin is more toxic than fenvalerate at larval and adult stages, that growth on media containing insecticide significantly decreases the rate of preimaginal development, and that adult males are more sensitive than are females to both insecticides.