EFFECTS OF LEAD ACETATE ON MORPHOLOGY OF MUSCA DOMESTICA L. (MUSCIDAE: DIPTERA)

A number of insects are influenced easily by many pollutants; therefore, the influence of lead (as lead acetate) on external morphology on Musca domestica L. was studied. The different concentrations of lead acetate, i.e., 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 01 mg per ml or in a diet of M. domestica were added and effects were observed after 48 hours of exposure. Results revealed that in addition to abnormalities and malformation of the larvae, morphological changes in adults were observed such as elongated and de-shaped wings and elongated and folded legs. Thus the lead is found to exert a definite observable morphological effect on these flies, therefore, dipteran flies could be used as a promising component in a model for the rapid screening of the lead contamination to avoid environmental hazards.