No negative sublethal effects of two insecticides on prey capture and development of a spider

Laboratory experiments were used to analyse the effect of two insecticides, dimethoate and cypermethrin, on prey capture, feeding and rate of development of the wolf spider Pardosa amentata. Though partly lethal doses (LD₅₀ and LD₁₀) were applied and a high proportion of surviving spiders suffered paralysis for one to two days, which could be fatal under field conditions, no negative effects on other investigated biological characteristics (including development and predation rates) of the surviving individuals were observed. With very low doses of cypermethrin, killing rate and feeding of females in the period between the final moult and egg-sac deposition were increased compared to untreated controls. This is the first evidence of enhanced performance due to an insecticide in a spider. The possibility of insecticide stimulation of predator population recovery after eradication by spraying is discussed. © 1998 SCI.     

Influence of permethrin droplets on movement of larval Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The behavioral response of larvae of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) to permethrin droplets was investigated through computer simulations and videotape analysis of larval movement on treated surfaces. Simulations of pre-contact avoidance responses and post-contact hypersensitivity responses indicated that the different response types would produce different effects on larval speeds and leaving times in the presence of insecticide. Analysis of actual larval movement in treated arenas demonstrated that responses to permethrin consistent with the predictions for pre-contact avoidance did occur. Larval speeds were higher in trials with insecticide droplets than in controls, and these differences arose prior to contact with droplets. When a higher insecticide concentration was used for droplets, the response observed was consistent with a relatively longer distance avoidance response than when droplets had lower permethrin concentrations. Such a response to permethrin should significantly decrease larval exposure to insecticides and increase survival in permethrintreated fields.     

Plant food effects on prey consumption by the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus

Omnivorous predatory Heteroptera are important biological control agents of pests in several crops. They can feed on plant food resources that may positively affect their biological characteristics. In the current paper, the influence of leaves and flowers on the predation rate of the omnivorous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) was investigated. Its predation rates were recorded on prey offered on (a) a single leaf of tomato, pepper or black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), or (b) a leaf of pepper or S. nigrum plus flowers of pepper or S. nigrum, respectively. In all cases the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) was used as prey at densities of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 nymphs of the second instar. The experiments were conducted in petri dishes at 25 ± 1°C and prey consumption was evaluated after 24 h. The predation rate of M. pygmaeus was significantly higher on leaves of S. nigrum than on those of pepper at the prey density of 20 prey items. Therefore, the hypothesis that increased predation rates should occur on plants of lower suitability for development or reproduction was not supported under our experimental conditions. The flower availability did not alter the prey consumption among the prey densities on S. nigrum. However, the presence of a pepper flower caused a significant decrease in the predation rates on pepper leaves, at prey densities higher than eight prey items. Thus, pepper flowers can provide the predator with nutrient sources that may partially substitute for prey consumption, with practical implications in biological control.     

Impact of two synthetic pyrethroids and methomyl on management of the cabbage aphid,brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and its associated parasitoid,diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh)

The effectiveness of two synthetic pyrethroids, cypermethrin and fenvalerate, and of methomyl applied to cabbage plants was tested against the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), and its parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh). Dosage rates chosen were equivalent to the manufacturer's maximum and minimum recommendations. Methomyl was considerably more toxic to B. brassicae adults than the two synthetic pyrethroids used. Fenvalerate, at the lowest rate used (71 g ha^?1), showed satisfactory effectiveness in reducing aphid adult population on treated plants by c. 77% below that of the control. All insecticides and rates used significantly reduced the emergence of parasitoid adult D. rapae from mummified aphids compared to the control. Fenvalerate clearly had less impact on emergence than cypermethrin or methomyl at any dosage used, while methomyl has appeared to be the most toxic compound in this respect. Longevity of parasitoid adults was highly affected by insecticide application, particularly those adults emerging from mummified aphids exposed to methomyl or cypermethrin. However, only a slight difference in longevity was seen at the lower rate of 71 g ha^?1 of fenvalerate. At the lowest dosage rates used, methomyl and cypermethrin reduced the F₁-progeny of adult parasitoid females by 70.5% and 58.3%, respectively, of the control, whereas fenvalerate reduced the progeny by only 36.4%.     

Synergism of insecticides provides evidence of metabolic mechanisms of resistance in the obliquebanded leafroller Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The interactions between six insecticides (indoxacarb, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, azinphosmethyl, tebufenozide and chlorfenapyr) and three potential synergists, (piperonyl butoxide (PBO), S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) and diethyl maleate (DEM)) were studied by dietary exposure in a multi-resistant and a susceptible strain of the obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). The synergists did not produce appreciable synergism with most of the insecticides in the susceptible strain. Except for tebufenozide, PBO synergized all the insecticides to varying degrees in the resistant strain. A very high level of synergism by PBO was found with indoxacarb, which reduced the resistance level from 705- to 20-fold when PBO was administered alone and to around 10-fold when used in combination with DEF. DEF also synergized indoxacarb, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, azinphosmethyl and tebufenozide in the resistant strain. DEM produced synergism of indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, azinphos-methyl and chlorfenapyr in the resistant strain. DEM was highly synergistic to cypermethrin, and to some extent to tebufenozide in both the susceptible and resistant strains equally, implying that detoxification by glutathione S-transferases was not a mechanism of resistance for these insecticides. The high level of synergism seen with DEM in the case of cypermethrin may be due to an increase in oxidative stress resulting from the removal of the antioxidant, glutathione. These studies indicate that enhanced detoxification, often mediated by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases, but with probable esterase and glutathione S-transferase contributions in some cases, is the major mechanism imparting resistance to different insecticides in C. rosaceana.     

Harmonious interaction of kaolin and two insect predator species in plant protection

Lacewings and lady beetles represent two important groups of natural enemies for pest control. Kaolin is used in various crop ecosystems to reduce abiotic plant stressors and pest colonization. Compatible methods aimed at reducing abiotic and biotic plant stressors are desired in crop management systems. Therefore, this work evaluated the development and survival of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae of different ages treated with kaolin at three different concentrations (ca. 60, 80, and 100 g/L) and prey consumption when treated with kaolin at a field rate of 60 g/L. The prey used were the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Survival rates and development durations for E. connexa larvae topically treated with kaolin at different ages were similar to those for untreated larvae. However, larvae of C. externa reduced survival and delayed development when treated with kaolin concentrations greater than the recommended field rate. Otherwise, kaolin treatments did not affect prey consumption by larvae and adults of both predator species.     

Impact of intraguild predation and lambda-cyhalothrin on predation efficacy of three acarophagous predators

This laboratory study reports the interaction of three predators found in commercial apple orchards in Quebec, Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) (Hemiptera: Miridae), Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Amblyseius fallacis (Garman) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). First, intraguild predation between H vitripennis and the two other predators was characterized in the absence and presence of their extraguild prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The results showed an asymmetrical interaction in favour of the larger predator and the levels of intraguild predation were weak for the two predatory combinations. Presence of the phytophagous mite reduced the intensity of intraguild predation in the predatory combination of H axyridis and H vitripennis. Second, the effects of intraguild predation and the application of lambda-cyhalothrin on predation efficacy of the predators were evaluated. The application of the insecticide reduced prey consumption of H vitripennis and H axyridis but did not affect that of A fallacis. Combination of predators and an insecticide application resulted in two different situations depending on the species involved: a reduced predation efficacy for the combination of H vitripennis and H axyridis due to a knockdown effect caused by the insecticide, and no effect on T urticae consumption for H vitripennis and A fallacis. It is suggested that an integrated pest management program based on H vitripennis, A fallacis and lambda-cyhalothrin may be evaluated to repress phytophagous mites in Quebec orchards.     

Spatial variation in non-target effects of the insecticides chlorpyrifos,cypermethrin and pirimicarb on Collembola in winter wheat

Contiguous winter wheat fields of similar cropping history and soil type were used in a study of the responses of Collembola to summer sprays of cypermethrin and pirimicarb in southern England. Chlorpyrifos was included in the study as a toxic standard. Epigeic arthropods were captured by suction sampling and crop-inhabiting species obtained by dissecting wheat ears. Eight genera of Collembola responded significantly to the insecticide treatments. Collembolan abundance decreased after chlorpyrifos was applied but increased after use of cypermethrin. Negative effects of cypermethrin and pirimicarb on Collembola were not detected in this study. Effects of chlorpyrifos varied spatially as a result of faunal heterogeneity among the fields, despite apparent homogeneity of the site. Some species known to be susceptible to chlorpyrifos were absent from one or more of the fields. The implications of these findings for the interpretation of non-target pesticide effects and the potential use of Collembola as bioindicators in field studies with pesticides are discussed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mechanisms of resistance to organophosphorus insecticides in populations of the obliquebanded leafroller Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from southern Ontario

Populations of Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) from orchards in Ontario were shown to be resistant to azinphos-methyl and to other types of organophosphorus insecticides. Resistance extended to methyl carbamates and to methomyl. The laboratory population used for these assays and selected with azinphosmethyl was also resistant to the pyrethroid, cypermethrin. Resistance was associated with increased esterase activity and was reduced by the addition of the synergist DEF. IEF studies of esterases also indicated increased activity in resistant populations, but did not identify any unique esterases associated with the resistance. Resistance was highly correlated (r = 0.78) with elevated esterases but not with increased glutathione-S transferase activity (r = 0.13). Other mechanisms did not appear to be related.     

拟环纹豹蛛神经细胞的急性分离及其电压门控钠通道的膜片钳研究

对拟环纹豹蛛雌蛛中枢神经细胞进行急性分离,并利用全细胞膜片钳技术对神经细胞的电压门控钠通道基本电生理学特性进行了研究,同时测定了氯氰菊酯及其不同浓度对Na 通道门控过程的影响。结果表明,拟环纹豹蛛头胸部神经团在消化酶和培养液混合作用下能急性分离出单个神经细胞,在4～6h内适合用于膜片钳研究。在全细胞电压钳条件下,神经细胞Na 通道电流(INa)在-60mV左右激活, 10mV左右达峰值,对河豚毒素敏感。用氯氰菊酯处理后,Na 通道的激活电压向负电位方向移动约10mV,为-70mV左右,峰值提前在 5mV左右出现。INa先增大然后迅速减小。用不同浓度的氯氰菊酯处理神经细胞后,INa在各电压下的差异不大,但达到最大INa所需时间随氯氰菊酯浓度的增加而缩短。     

Comparing the impact of conventional pesticide and use of a transgenic pest-resistant crop on the beneficial carabid beetle Pterostichus melanarius

The potential impact of a chemical pesticide control method has been compared with that of transgenic plants expressing a protease inhibitor conferring insect resistance by utilising a tritrophic system comprising the crop plant Brassica napus (L.) (Oilseed rape), the pest mollusc Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) and the predatory carabid beetle Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger). Cypermethrin, as the most widely used pesticide in UK oilseed rape (OSR) cultivation, was selected as the conventional treatment. OSR expressing a cysteine protease inhibitor, oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1), was the transgenic comparator. In feeding trials, D. reticulatum showed no significant long-term effects on measured life history parameters (survival, weight gain, food consumption) as a result of exposure to either the cypermethrin or OC-1 treatment. However, D. reticulatum was able to respond to the presence of the dietary inhibitor by producing two novel proteases following exposure to OC-1-expressing OSR. Similarly, P. melanarius showed no detectable alterations in mortality, weight gain or food consumption when feeding on D. reticulatum previously fed either pesticide-contaminated or GM plant material. Furthermore, as with the slug, a novel form of protease, approximately M(r) 27 kDa, was induced in the carabid in response to feeding on slugs fed OC-1-expressing OSR.     

Pyrethroid resistance in a strain of Spodoptera littoralis is correlated with decreased sensitivity of the CNS in vitro

The effects of permethrin and cypermethrin on the isolated abdominal nerve cord of insecticide-resistant [R] and -susceptible [S] strains of Spodoptera littoralis larvae have been studied. Above ca. 19°C, permethrin at 10^?7M caused a prolonged spike train to follow electrical stimulation of the nerve cord. The time of onset of this repetitive firing was significantly greater for the [R] strain. Moreover, cypermethrin, to which this strain shows negligible resistance, did not cause such repetitive discharges. Thus, resistance to permethrin but not to cypermethrin appears to be based on a qualitative difference between the pyrethroids. Nerve blockage by the two pyrethroids was also investigated, with particular reference to temperature. Once again, differences were apparent: when considered relative to untreated controls, permethrin caused quicker nerve blockage as temperature was reduced whereas the blocking action of cypermethrin was not affected by temperature. However, the times taken to cause nerve blockage by permethrin in [R] and [S] larvae were not significantly different, making it unlikely that nerve blockage plays a major role in this resistance. Two methods were employed to reduce the resistance factor in vitro. The synergist dodecyl imidazole failed to significantly reduce the time taken for permethrin to cause either repetitive firing or nerve blockage. However, reducing the calcium concentration in the saline did significantly reduce the latency of repetitive firing caused by permethrin in [R] larvae, thus increasing the nerve sensitivity to approximately the same level as normal calcium, [S] insects.     

氯氰菊酯毒性评价研究

介绍了联合国粮农组织和世界卫生组织农药残留联席会议(JMPR)以及联合国粮农组织和世界卫生组织食品添加剂联席专家委员会(JECFA)对食品中氯氰菊酯的风险评估历程,并重点阐述了2006年JMPR会议对食品中氯氰菊酯的风险评估的研究进展。主要包括氯氰菊酯、α-氯氰菊酯和ζ-氯氰菊酯的生化资料、毒理学数据和暴露评估资料等。2006年JMPR重新建立了食品中3种氯氰菊酯暴露的健康指导值——每日允许摄入量(ADI)为0~0.02mg/kgb.w.,急性参考剂量(ARfD)为0.04mg/kg b.w.。     

Neurotoxic implications of the agonistic action of CS-syndrome pyrethroids on the N-type Ca(v)2.2 calcium channel

BACKGROUND: Cismethrin (T-syndrome) and deltamethrin (CS-syndrome) pyrethroids have been previously shown to increase membrane depolarization and calcium influx, but only deltamethrin increased Ca(2+)-dependent neurotransmitter release from rat brain synaptosomes. Deltamethrin's action was blocked by omega-conotoxin GVIA, delineating a separate action at N-type Ca(v)2.2 channels that is consistent with the in vivo release of neurotransmitter. It is hypothesized that other CS-syndrome pyrethroids will elicit similar actions at presynaptic nerve terminals.RESULTS: Nine additional pyrethroids were similarly examined, and these data were used in a cluster analysis. CS-syndrome pyrethroids that possessed alpha-cyano groups, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and esfenvalerate, all caused Ca(2+) influx and neurotransmitter release and clustered with two other alpha-cyano pyrethroids, cyfluthrin and cyhalothrin, that shared these same actions. T-syndrome pyrethroids, bioallethrin, cismethrin and fenpropathrin, did not share these actions and clustered with two non-alpha-cyano pyrethroids, tefluthin and bifenthrin, which likewise did not elicit these actions. Deltamethrin reduced peak current of heterologously expressed wild-type Ca(v)2.2, increased peak current of T422E Ca(v)2.2 and was 20-fold more potent on T422E Ca(v)2.2 than on wild-type channels, indicating that the permanently phosphorylated form of Ca(v)2.2 is the preferred target.CONCLUSIONS: Ca(v)2.2 is directly modified by deltamethrin, but the resulting perturbation is dependent upon its phosphorylation state. The present findings may provide a partial explanation for the different toxic syndromes produced by these structurally distinct pyrethroids.     

Field experiments on the effects of a new pyrethroid insecticide WL-85871 on bees foraging artificial aphid honeydew on winter wheat

Two large and two small plots of winter wheat were enclosed beneath large mesh-covered tunnels. A small beehive was placed in each tunnel and sucrose solution was sprayed on to all of the wheat in order to simulate aphid honeydew. WL-85871 (a 1:1 mixture of two stereoisomers of cypermethrin) as ‘Fastac’ at three dose rates, dimethoate, pirimicarb or water were applied to the larger plots of wheat when the bees were actively foraging the sugar deposits. No increase in bee mortality, compared with that in the pre-treatment period, was observed after the applications of WL-85871 or pirimicarb. By contrast, large numbers of dead bees were found following the applications of dimethoate. Foraging activity in the plots, treated with all dose rates of WL-85871 or with pirimicarb, declined sharply after treatment and remained at a reduced level. With dimethoate no foraging activity occurred after application in either the treated or untreated plots. Only very low concentrations of WL-85871 were detected in post-treament samples of honey, wax, and live or dead bees. It was concluded that the application of WL-85871, to wheat already treated with artificial honeydew, resulted in no adverse effects on the honey-bee colonies.     

Biology and predation rate of the sarcophagid fly,Agria mamillata a predator of European small ermine moths

Abstract

The biology of the univoltine, predatory sarcophagid fly Agria mamillata (Pandellé) was studied in a population of Yponomeuta evonymellus(L.) (Yponomeutidae) attacking Prunuspadus L. in the Valais, Switzerland. Clarification of the literature records suggests that A. mamillata is oligophagus, attacking five Yponomeuta species in the Palaearctic. The adult flies emerged in May. The presence of host odour was advantageous to elicit mating. After a preoviposition period of 19 days, the ovolarviparous females deposited eggs/first instar larvae on the cuticle of late fifth instar prey larvae, or on cocoons of prey pupae. The potential fecundity averaged 40 eggs per female. Reid data indicated that females of the predator laid more eggs in tents with higher prey density. Larval development lasted 11 days. Rain stimulates mature predator larvae to leave the tents of Y. evonymellus to pupate in the soil. Pupation was observed between early July and mid August. Predation rates ( = number of prey eaten per predator) were estimated from laboratory food consumption tests and from the number of predator larvae and predated cocoons in prey tents in the field. It was shown that a single predator consumed an average of five Y. evonymellus individuals. Field data indicated that predation rates cannot increase with higher numbers of prey available. It was shown that the number of prey eaten per predator decrease with higher predator densities per tent in the field.     

模拟加工对菠菜中农药残留量及膳食暴露评估的影响

采用田间喷药、室内模拟加工和气相色谱检测方法,研究了水洗、漂烫和烘干处理对菠菜中毒死蜱、氯氰菊酯和氰戊菊酯残留量的影响。结果表明:在田间推荐剂量下,当毒死蜱、氯氰菊酯和氰戊菊酯的有效成分用量分别为0.038 8、0.001和0.01 g/m2时,经水洗和漂烫处理,菠菜中上述3种农药的残留量分别降低22.6%、53.8%和50.8%;而加倍剂量处理时,则分别降低8.5%、61.4%和40.2%;烘干处理对毒死蜱的去除作用大于50%,但对氯氰菊酯和氰戊菊酯的去除作用仅为10%左右。对新鲜菠菜和干制菠菜的农药残留量进行膳食暴露评估的结果表明,合理的加工方式可以降低农药膳食摄入估计量的62.1%~76.7%。研究结果表明:毒死蜱的残留受水洗和漂烫影响较小,受烘干影响较大;而氯氰菊酯和氰戊菊酯的残留受水洗与漂烫影响较大,受烘干影响较小;引入加工因子后膳食暴露评估结果更接近真实值。     

The use of small enclosures to assess the toxic effects of cypermethrin on fish under field conditions

An emulsion concentrate formulation of cypermethrin (‘Ripcord’) was applied at seven different dose rates (between 5 and 500 g a. i. ha^?1) to the water surface of 1-m³ stainless steel enclosures, located in a small outdoor pond, to which were introduced small rainbow trout and common carp. A range of water quality parameters were monitored frequently in all of the enclosures and in the open pond. At daily intervals, the concentration of cypermethrin was determined in water samples, collected from the enclosures treated with 5, 50 and 500 g a. i. ha-^?1. Two further water samples were collected from these enclosures, and their toxicity was assessed by bioassay, using Gammarus pulex as the test organism. The experiment was terminated 96 h after application, when all the fish were removed and examined for mortality or adverse toxic effects. Throughout the study, the water quality parameters in all the enclosures remained similar to those recorded in the open pond. Cypermethrin residues, in the enclosures treated with 5 and 50 g a. i. ha^?1, attained peak concentrations 24 h after application, and thereafter declined to about 50% of this level. Maximum cypermethrin concentrations were not attained until about 72 h after application in the enclosure treated with 500 g a. i. ha^?1. Highly consistent responses, closely correlated with the applied dose rates, were obtained with G. pulex and both species of fish. Rainbow trout appeared to be about three times more susceptible to cyper-methrin than common carp, with calculated LD₅₀ values of 92 and 300 g a. i. ha^?1, respectively. It is therefore most unlikely that fish mortality would result from the use of cypermethrin in normal agricultural practice.     

Comparative studies on acylurea insect growth regulators and neuroactive insecticides for the control of the armyworm Spodoptera exempta walk

Leaf-dip bioassays with commercial pesticide formulations were used throughout this study. Third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis were bioassayed for comparative purposes. The end-point mortality against the third-instar larvae (L3) of two Spodoptera exempta populations (Bangor and Gent) and a S. littoralis population (NRI) was found to occur at 72 h and 120 h for neuroactive compounds (carbamate, organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides) and acylureas respectively. Overall, the acylureas were found to be more toxic (up to 240-fold at the LC₅₀ level) than the most active of the neuroactive compounds tested, the pyrethroids. This difference was greatest against S. littoralis, which was markedly less sensitive to the latter compounds. The Gent population of S. exempta was also found to be significantly less sensitive (7-folt at LC₅₀) to the pyrethroid, lambda-cyhalothrin, than the Bangor strain. Two of the most toxic neuroactive and non-neuroactive compounds, the pyrethroid, cypermethrin and the acylurea, teflubenzuron were chosen for further studies with S. exempta (Gent) and S. littoralis. Relatively little difference in the toxicity of teflubenzuron was observed against different larval instars (L2, L3 and L4) of S. exempta when compared with cypermethrin. Choice-chamber-experiments on feeding behaviour showed that when L3 larvae of either species were exposed to both treated and untreated leaves. teflubenzuron had no significant effect on larval distribution, the percentage of each leaf disc consumed or larval weight gain when compared with untreated controls. In contrast, a marked dose-dependent repellent response to cypermethrin-treated leaves was shown by S. littralis after 6 h. together with corresponding reductions in the percentage of the treated leaf consumed and in larval weight gain. Similarly, when L3 S. exempta were exposed only to pesticidetreated leaves, cypermethrin significantly reduced premoult larval weight gain, whereas tefiubenzuron had no premoult effect. However, following exposure of L3 S. exempta and S. littoralis to teflubenzuron for 48 h prior to moulting, L4 which survived the moult showed reduced weight gain compared with controls, the reduction being more pronounced on maize than on artificial diet. This antifeedant effect increased in proportion to the concentration of teflubenzuron originally administered. The effect of exposure time to teflubenzuron was examined by placing L3 S. exempta and S. littoralis on leaves treated with the approximate LC₅₀ or LC₉₅ dose for 6–48 h. The exposure time required to produce appreciable mortality (relative to LC values) within the treated population was found to be 24 h.     

Dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites in a humid-tropical vegetable production system

BACKGROUND: High amounts of insecticides are often used in intensive tropical vegetable production systems. Their persistence and residues in vegetables and soils need to be studied to ensure food safety and environmental stability. The dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites was studied in green mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Coss.] and soils. Two treatments, Impact 75 (acephate) and Agent 505 (cypermethrin plus chlorpyrifos), were applied 4 times at weekly intervals. RESULTS: Dissipation of acephate, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in green mustard and topsoils followed first‐order kinetics, with half‐lives of between 1.1 and 3.1 days in green mustard and between 1.4 and 9.4 days in topsoils (26 °C). Higher vapour pressure of insecticides and higher rainfall appeared to stimulate dissipation from the vegetable, with least effect of rainfall on chlorpyrifos. Dissipation rates in the vegetable were faster or similar (cypermethrin) to rates observed for temperate areas. Preharvest intervals of 13, 4 and 3 days were required for acephate, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and their metabolites to comply with the tolerance levels. The pesticide dissipation rates in soils varied by less than a factor of 3 between sites. The metabolites methamidophos and TCP derived from acephate and chlorpyrifos amounted to less than 10 and 25% by mass of the parent compounds in soils. Vegetable shading possibly retarded pesticide degradation in soil. CONCLUSION: The dissipation of pesticides and their metabolites in the vegetable was rapid and faster than the dissipation in temperate climates. The degradation rates of pesticides in the soil were equal to or slightly faster than the degradation rates in temperate soils. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry