The Effects of Neonicotinoids on the Longevity of the Male and Female Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Most of the pesticides applied in various areas around the world and in our country are known to affect non-targeted organisms causing their death. For this reason, a new class of pesticides specific only for the targeted organism that does not harm the others is needed. Neonicotinoids, known as insecticide classes, have been used since 1980 to meet this requirement. In this study, Imidacloprid and Acetamiprid, commonly used neonicotinoids in pest management, were investigated for their chronic effects on the longevity of Drosophila melanogaster. Both insecticides were added to the Standard Drosophila Medium at different doses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ppm). The male and female individuals of the wild type D. melanogaster Oregon R were chronically exposed to the insecticides in these application groups. It was determined that the mean lifespan of the female and male D. melanogaster populations decreased with the increasing concentrations of Imidacloprid and Acetamiprid in comparison to the control group. When the maximum and average lifespan values of the control and application groups were compared, the difference was found to be statistically significant with p<0.05.