Evaluation of eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors in conjunction with a fungal biopesticide

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a recognized pest species of insects demonstrated to be a mechanical vector of multiple infectious organisms. When sanitation measures, such as manure management, fail to keep house fly populations down, pesticides are often used. Long term use of pesticides without rotation of different modes of action has been shown to lead to the evolution of pesticide resistance. Fungal biopesticides have been suggested as a new tool in the control of house fly populations. However, current formulations were not designed for house flies and take several days to induce house fly mortality. This project seeks to determine if the addition of an inhibitor of eicosanoid biosynthesis in conjunction with a commercially available biopesticide, Botanigard, impacts the rate of house fly mortality. Eicosanoid biosynthesis is a biochemical pathway associated with insect immunity, and inhibitors are likely to serve as potential insect immunosuppressants. House flies were injected with one of three eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors or phosphate-buffered saline and then exposed to either the fungal solution or a control solution. Time to mortality was recorded for each treatment group.