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5193377 
Journal Article 
Correlation Of Toxicity Of Insecticides To The House Fly And To The Mouse 
Sun Y-P 
1977 
Yes 
Journal of Economic Entomology
ISSN: 0022-0493
EISSN: 1938-291X 
65 
3 
The correlation between toxicity to the house-fly and toxicity to the mouse was studied for organochlorine and organophosphorus insecticides. Fifteen organochlorine and 14 organophosphate insecticides were tested on house-flies by an oil spray methyl with and without the synergist sesamex (51149). The organophosphate insecticides tested were analogs of Gardona (22248799). The median lethal dose (LD50) was calculated for flies. The acute oral LD50 for mice was derived from previous studies. Results were correlated. A safety factor between mouse LD50 and fly LD50 was calculated for each compound. Correlation was better when the LD50 was determined in the presence of the synergist than it was without it. The calculated safety factor varied from 0.87 for SD-4314 (115297) to 56 for dieldrin (60571). For the organochlorine insecticides, the mean safety factor was 19.4. For the 14 organophosphates, the safety factor varied from 19 for the most toxic to 1,060 for the least toxic. The author concludes that this group of Gardona analogs is safer to mammals than the organochlorine insecticides. Correlation may be better when insecticides are in the presence of a synergist because of the differences in the circulatory system of mammals and insects. In the open circulatory system of the insects the toxicant can be immediately attacked by enzymes. The synergist may ensure better penetration.