Toxicity of Some Straight Chain Saturated Fatty Acids to House Fly Larvae1

Abstract

Straight chain saturated fatty acids containing 8–11 carbon atoms were found toxic to house fly larvae, Musca domestica L. The water-insoluble dodecanoic acid was nontoxic in a dry environment but toxic if the larvae were wetted with water. Toxicity of decanoic acid also increased with the amount of moisture present on the larvae.