Morphological Abnormalities and Sensilla Damage in the Fruit Fly Drosophila Melanogaster Induced by UV-C Radiation

Newly emerged Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae), pupae were irradiated with UV-C at various doses, and the morphological changes were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pupal mortality increased in a dose-dependent manner. UV-C reduced the size and caused severe damage to the compound eyes, wings, legs, thorax, and abdomen of the adults. A deflated eye surface and a bulging structure were observed. The arista on the antennae was severely malformed and shorter than the control. The wings, abdomen and legs of the adults exhibited a wrinkled and roughened surface. The sensilla on the compound eyes, wings, abdomen and legs were short and broken. The dark transverse stripes on the dorsal side fused at the midline of the abdomen. The number of microtrichia sensilla on the abdomen also decreased following UV-C treatment. Taken together, UV-C radiation caused morphological defects at various parts of D. melanogaster, including its appendages, thorax, and abdomen.