Impact of DDT spraying on populations of P. argentipes and P. papatasi in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh
Joshi, R.D.; Rai, R.N.
Journal of Communicable Diseases 26(1): 56-58
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5138 PMID: 7963384 Document Number: 425352
Monthly collections were made from DDT sprayed and unsprayed villages in Varanasi District, India. In the sprayed village, the DDT was applied as wettable powder at 1 g/msuperscript 2 in September 1987 and April 1988. Collections were made fortnightly from June 1987 to September 1988 from houses and cattle sheds. The numbers of P. argentipes peaked in August 1987, but spraying during the 1st week of the following September reduced the numbers considerably. A 2nd round of spraying in April 1988 prevented any recovery in the population, such that no flies of this species were found during the peak density months of July-October of that year. The numbers of P. papatasi were also reduced as a result of the spray campaign, but only in 1988 since the spraying in 1987 coincided with a natural decline in the population.