Studies concerning the Uptake of Contact Insecticides

This paper presents the results of an investigation of certain processes taking place when flies of the species Phormia (Protophormia) terraenovae R.-D. are exposed to finely particulate deposits. Information is advanced concerning the precise sites of uptake of particles on the tarsi and pretarsi, the effects of “cleaning” reflex movements on the location and retention of particles and the influence of lipoid solubility (a fundamental property of contact insecticides) on the adhesion of dry particles to the lipophilic surfaces of insect and leaf cuticle. A technique for the controlled exposure of active blowflies of the species P. terraenovae to particulate deposits is described.