Sublethal Doses of Malathion and Dichlorvos: Effects on Fecundity of the Black Carpet Beetle124

Attagenus megatoma (F.) that survived treatment with the LD50 doses of malathion or dichlorvos had reduced fecundity, longevity, and duration of oviposition. Fecundity was reduced 63% by malathion and 74% by dichlorvos; 16% of the beetles treated with malathion and 30% of those treated with dichlorvos failed to produce progeny; and treated beetles were induced by the stress of the compounds to oviposit prematurely. Thus, 41 and 45% reductions in fecundity were produced by the treatment with malathion and dichlorvos, respectively.