Toxic effects of Cleome arabica L. (Capparidaceae) aqueous extracts on mortality and sexual behavior of Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Cleome arabica is a spontaneous plant in arid zones, toxic and has hallucinogenic effects. In this work, we seek to evaluate the direct and delayed effect of the aqueous extracts on the vinegar fly Dorsophila melanogaster, laboratory model par excellence. Treatment is by ingestion on second instar larvae (L2). The results show that mortality rates can reach 90% after 15 days of treatment as we recorded a disturbance of fly development. Observation of sexual behavior in treatment-emergent adults indicates that C. arabica acts negatively on the course of the different sequences leading to mating in Drosophila.