EFFECT OF ANOMALOUS CUTICULAR PHOSPHOLIPIDS ON PENETRATION OF INSECTICIDES IN SUSCEPTIBLE AND RESISTANT HOUSE-FLIES

The cuticular lipid composition of resistant and susceptible strains of house flies (Musca domestica L.) was altered by incorporation of dl-carnitine and 2-dimethylaminoethanol into the artificial diet under axenic conditions. β-Methyl-choline or 2-dimethylaminoethanol partially replaced the naturally occurring phospholipids (phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine) in the cuticular lipids of the adult of all strains. Effects of altered cuticular lipid composition on absorption of DDT, dieldrin, diazinon, parathion, and carbaryl in susceptible and resistant strains of house flies were studied. Upon incorporation of β-methyl-choline, the absorption pattern in the susceptible strain was decreased slightly, but this qualitative change caused increased absorption of DDT, dieldrin, diazinon, and parathion in one or more resistant strains. Incorporation of 2-dimethylaminoethanol changed the absorption pattern of insecticides in both susceptible and resistant strains of house flies to a slightly greater extent than did β-methyl-choline. © 1979.