Erythritol ingestion impairs adult reproduction and causes larval mortality in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Previous feeding studies showed the polyalcohol erythritol was toxic when ingested by adult laboratory fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). We asked whether erythritol could additionally affect fly population growth either through larval toxicity or through effects on adult reproduction. Females did not avoid laying on food substrates with 1M erythritol; laying rate on 1M erythritol food was similar to control food when females were given free‐choice access. Eggs laid or placed on 0.5 M to 2.5 M erythritol foods hatched at normal rates, suggesting erythritol was not toxic to eggs upon contact. Drosophila melanogaster larvae readily consumed food containing 1 M erythritol, but none of these larvae reached pupation. Longevity of larvae feeding on in 1 M erythritol food was significantly reduced relative to controls, and mean ± SE larval lifespan on erythritol was 1.54 ± 0.10 days (max. = 3 days). Exposing cohorts of second‐instar larvae to food with varying concentrations of erythritol showed the LD50 (at 24 hr) concentration was approximately 0.6 M. Taken together, these results suggest erythritol could be employed in effective larval‐sink baits. Adults flies fed with erythritol produced significantly fewer eggs on days when they fed on 1 M erythritol, and egg production was significantly reduced for one additional day after the adults were moved to control food. These findings suggest erythritol is rapid and effective at temporarily suppressing D. melanogaster reproduction, increasing its potential for use in effective insect population control.

Lethal effects of erythritol on the mosquito Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…In addition to mosquitoes, erythritol may impact other dipteran pests. Including this study, four species representing four different families of Diptera (Drosophilidae, Tephritidae, Muscidae, and Culicidae) have shown susceptibility to erythritol (Baudier et al., ; Burgess & King, ; Choi et al., ; Fisher et al., ; Goffin et al., ; O'Donnell et al., , ; Sampson, Werle, et al., ; Sampson, Marshall et al., ; Tang et al., ; Zheng et al., ). One hymenopteran (Formicidae) has also shown susceptibility to erythritol (Zhang et al., ).…”

“…albopictus is a competent vector of dengue, although slightly less efficient in transmission than Ae. aegypti (Gratz, 2004 have shown susceptibility to erythritol (Baudier et al, 2014;Burgess & King, 2017;Choi et al, 2017;Fisher et al, 2017;Goffin et al, 2017;O'Donnell et al, 2016O'Donnell et al, , 2018Sampson, Marshall et al, 2017;Tang et al, 2017;Zheng et al, 2016). One hymenopteran (Formicidae) has also shown susceptibility to erythritol (Zhang et al, 2017).…”

“…Its insecticidal activity was recently demonstrated in larvae and adults of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Baudier et al., ; O'Donnell, Baudier, Fiocca, & Marenda, ; O'Donnell, Baudier, & Marenda, ). It also impairs egg production in adult D. melanogaster (O'Donnell et al., ). The negative effects of erythritol on survival in adults and/or larvae have been replicated in other dipteran species including the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Zheng, Zeng, & Xu, ), the spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii Matsumura (Choi et al., ; Goffin et al., ; Sampson, Marshall, et al., ; Sampson, Werle, Stringer, & Adamczyk, ; Tang, Lee, Jung, & Choi, ) and the house fly, Musca domestica Linnaeus (Burgess & King, ; Fisher, Fowler, Denning, & Watson, ).…”

“…Erythritol has been deemed safe for ingestion by humans and several other mammals (Bernt, Borzelleca, Flamm, & Munro, 1996;Storey, Lee, Bornet, & Brouns, 2006) and is the main ingredient of the commercially available sweetener, Truvia®. Its insecticidal activity was recently demonstrated in larvae and adults of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Baudier et al, 2014;O'Donnell, Baudier, Fiocca, & Marenda, 2018;O'Donnell, Baudier, & Marenda, 2016). It also impairs egg production in adult D. melanogaster (O'Donnell et al, 2018).…”

Larvicidal potential of the polyol sweeteners erythritol and xylitol in two filth fly species

“…The polyol sweeteners erythritol (Er) and xylitol (Xy) have gained attention in recent years for their insecticidal potential against Drosophila melanogaster (O'Donnell et al ), the spotted wing Drosophila, D. suzukii (Sampson et al , Choi et al , Tang et al ), and the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Zheng et al 2015). Both Er and Xy have also been considered for control purposes in the house fly, Musca domestica (Fisher et al , Burgess and King , Burgess et al ).…”