Toxic effects of caffeine on growth and metamorphosis of the larvae of Musca domestica.

The somatic effects of caffeine were studied by using a rapidly proliferating insect developmental system. The results show that caffeine is a potent growth inhibitor of housefly larvae. Puparium formation is also severely affected, which sud when larvae are treated with higher concentrations of caffeine. The results indicate that caffeine may have several target sites of action; these are briefly discussed.