Metal chelate molluscicides: The redistribution of iron diazaalkanolates from the gut lumen of the slug,Deroceras reticulatum (Müller) (Pulmonata: Limacidae)

Two related iron chelates, one toxic to slugs by ingestion, the other not, were introduced into the foregut of D. reticulatum. The subsequent movement and redistribution of the metal within the slug tissues was studied by labelling the chelates with the radioactive isotope ⁵⁵Fe. In slugs which survived treatment approximately half of the ⁵⁵Fe was voided in faeces. The iron retained became unevenly distributed, the highest concentration occurring in the digestive gland, irrespective of the chelate used. At high doses, slugs treated with tris(1-oxo-1,2-diazabutan-2-oxido)Fe(III) were fatally poisoned while those treated with the homologue, tris(1-oxo-1,2-diazaoctan-2-oxido)Fe(III) were not. Slugs killed by the toxic chelate consistently contained proportionally less iron in the digestive gland and proportionally more in the body wall and reproductive system. Dosing slugs already killed by carbon dioxide asphyxiation gave a similar pattern, suggesting that the greater mobility of the iron from the toxic chelate was not a function of the slugs' metabolism.     

Residues in apples and sweet cherries after methyl bromide fumigation

Methyl bromide fumigations are used to treat apples, Malus domestica Borkh, and sweet cherries, Prunus avium (L), before export to Japan. In order to expand existing markets, additional cultivars are being prepared for export to Japan. As part of the approval process, residue analyses must be conducted and residues must be at acceptable levels. Five apple cultivars (‘Braeburn,’ ‘Fuji,’ ‘Gala,’ ‘Jonagold,’ and ‘Granny Smith’) were fumigated at 40 g m⁻³ for 2 h at 10 °C, and six sweet cherry cultivars (‘Brooks,’ ‘Garnet,’ ‘Lapin,’ ‘Rainier,’ ‘Sweetheart,’ and ‘Tulare’) were fumigated for 2 h with 64 g m⁻³ at 6 °C, 48 g m⁻³ at 12 °C, 40 g m⁻³ at 17 °C, and 32 g m⁻³ at 22 °C. Three replicates of fruit from each fumigation were analyzed for methyl bromide and bromide ion residues periodically with time. Methyl bromide residues for both apples and cherries were the highest immediately after fumigation, but rapidly declined so that only ‘Braeburn’ had residues >8 µg kg⁻¹ after 13 days and, except for ‘Lapin,’ all cherries were <1 µg kg⁻¹ after seven days. Average bromide ion residues were between 3.3 and 4.9 mg kg⁻¹ among apple cultivars, and between 3.7 and 8.0 µg kg⁻¹ among cherry cultivars. Published in 2000 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Pharmacokinetics of fenvalerate after intravenous administration to sheep

The pharmacokinetics of total radioactivity and of intact fenvalerate were determined in sheep treated intravenously with radiolabelled or non-radiolabelled fenvalerate. Mean residence times (MRT) of total radioactivity and intact fenvalerate in plasma were 910 (±75) and 39 (±3) min, while harmonic mean elimination-phase half-lives (TM_β) were 990 and 82 min, each respectively. Systemic clearance values (Cl_S) of total radioactivity and intact fenvalerate were 2·8 (±0·3) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and 51·3 (±5·9) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹, respectively. Volumes of distribution at steady state (V_SS) were each near 2500 ml kg⁻¹. Elimination of radioactivity occurred, in part (33·3 (±3·3)% of dose), by renal excretion, at a rate (0·9 (±0·1) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹), similar to that of glomerular filtration. These data are consistent with a disposition model according to which intact fenvalerate was rapidly distributed into a peripheral compartment, where metabolism occurred. In addition, since the elimination half-life of fenvalerate from plasma was less than 90 min after intravenous injection, ‘flip-flop’ kinetics should be considered when longer elimination half-lives are observed after oral or dermal exposures.     

The use of iron (III) ferrocyanide soil amendment for removing salt from the soil surface

Accelerated soil salinization is a worldwide concern. Our study was carried out to determine the effects of different rates (0, 5, 10, and 15?mmol kg^?1) of iron (III) ferrocyanide application to remove salts from the soil. Within two weeks of its application, iron (III) ferrocyanide at 5, 10, and 15?mmol?kg^?1 removed 12.2%, 26.5%, and 42.9% of the total salts from the soil, respectively. Results suggested that iron (III) ferrocyanide application at 15?mmol?kg^?1 is one of the most rapid and effective ways to remove substantial amounts of salts from undrained soil (land) where fresh water is scarce.     

Effect of Adjuvants on the Therapeutic Activity of Dimethomorph in Controlling Vine Downy Mildew. II. Adjuvant Mixtures,Outdoor-Hardened Vines and One-Pack Formulations

Previous investigations have shown that certain C₁₂–C₁₈ alcohol ethoxylates with between 5 and 20 moles ethylene oxide gave large enhancements to the therapeutic activity of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and wettable power (WP) formulations of dimethomorph in controlling two-day-old infections of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola, Berl. & deT) on glasshouse propagated vines (Vitis vinifera, L.). In a continuation of that work it has been shown that similar enhancements could also be obtained on vines that had been grown under outdoor conditions for two to three weeks before treatment (outdoor-hardened vines) and it is concluded that the treatments would therefore be effective on field vines. Mixtures of either ammonium sulfate or the silicone ethoxylate, ‘Silwet’ L77, with the best alcohol ethoxylates, ‘Genapol’ C050 or ‘Genapol’ C080, produced slight antagonism of the action of the ‘Genapols’ and therefore were of no benefit. Trials with one-pack formulations prepared containing the ‘Genapol’ adjuvants produced good dose response curves from which estimated doses for 90% fungal control (ED₉₀ values) could be calculated by Logit analysis. These one-pack formulations were significantly more effective than the standard EC formulation (ED₉₀=335 g AI ha⁻¹, glasshouse vines and 445 g AI ha⁻¹, outdoor hardened vines) with optimum enhancements with those formulations containing an adjuvant: dimethomorph ratio of either 9:1 on glasshouse vines (ED₉₀= 13 g AI ha⁻¹) or 6:1 on outdoor-hardened vines (ED₉₀=30 g AI ha⁻¹). This last result was significantly better than that obtained with a commercial formulation of cymoxanil, ‘Fytospore’, (ED₉₀=86 g AI ha⁻¹) and encouraged the recommendation that these one-pack formulations should be examined in field trials.     

Effect of Adjuvants on the Therapeutic Activity of Dimethomorph in Controlling Vine Downy Mildew. I. Survey of Adjuvant Types

The effect of adjuvants on the performance of emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and wettable powder (WP) formulations of dimethomorph, a new systemic Oomycete fungicide, has been investigated using a two-day therapeutic (curative) assay with downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola, Berl. & de T.) on vines (Vitisvinifera L., cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) in glasshouse trials. The EC formulation had some therapeutic activity in this type of test. This activity was increased by the spray tank incorporation of 6 g litre⁻¹ of either emulsifiable rape seed oil (‘Atplus’ 412) or emulsifiable paraffinic oil (‘Atplus’ 411F). However, these improvements in performance were overshadowed by those brought about by incorporation of 3 g litre⁻¹ of a series of C₁₃/C₁₄ alcohol ethoxylates varying in ethylene oxide content from 5 to 20 moles:(‘Marlipal’ 34/6EO, 34/11EO, 34/20EO). Nearly complete fungal control was obtained in the presence of these adjuvants with a dimethomorph application rate of 25 g ha⁻¹ compared with only around 90% control at 400 g ha⁻¹ without adjuvants. The WP formulation was inactive in this therapeutic test but the presence of the adjuvants improved the performance of this formulation towards the high levels observed with the EC plus adjuvants, demonstrating that adjuvants could markedly influence the performance of solid, otherwise therapeutically inactive, dimethomorph formulations. Further trials examined other types of adjuvants (nonylphenol, alkylamine and silicone ethoxylates) but either they were no better than the alcohol ethoxylates or they induced unacceptable phytotoxicity. Trials with alcohol ethoxylates (‘Genapols’) from another source demonstrated activity equivalent to the ‘Marlipal’ surfactants. A two-factorial matrix experiment with ‘Genapol’ C050 showed that, under glasshouse conditions, >90% control could be obtained with the dimethomorph EC at 25 g AI ha⁻¹ with 375 g ha⁻¹ ‘Genapol’ C050. Applications of the WP formulation required slightly higher rates of either 50 g AI ha⁻¹ plus 375 g ha⁻¹ ‘Genapol’ C050 or 25 g AI ha⁻¹ plus 750–1500 g ha⁻¹ ‘Genapol’ C050. The overall conclusion was that alcohol ethoxylates varying in alkyl chain length from C₁₂ to C₁₈ and ethylene oxide content between 5 and 20 moles for the C₁₂ surfactants and ∽15 moles for the C₁₈ surfactants were effective adjuvants in promoting the therapeutic activity of dimethomorph formulationsagainst P. viticola on glasshouse-propagated vines.     

Multiresidue method for captan,folpet, captafol,vinclozolin and iprodione on italian apples and pears by capillary gas–liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of residues of five fungicides used for foliar treatment of apple and pear trees, and for postharvest application. After extraction, the mixture of these fungicides is cleaned-up on a ‘SEP PAK C₁₈’ cartridge and the components determined by gas-liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection. The minimum detectable amounts in apples and pears, on a fresh weight basis, were 0.005mg kg⁻¹ for vinclozolin, 0.010mg kg⁻¹ for captan, folpet and iprodione, and 0.020 mg kg⁻¹ for captafol. The percentage recovery for each fungicide (calculated by analysing four samples of untreated apples and pears, to which varying concentrations of each active ingredient had been added) varied for vinclozolin between 70.0 and 89.2, for captan between 72.0 and 83.8, for folpet between 73.0 and 93.0, for captafol between 70.8 and 91.8, and for iprodione between 75.1 and 97.1.     

Dose confirmation study of a 10 g liter−1 non-aqueous injectable formulation of moxidectin against naturally acquired infestations of cattle lice on cattle in New York

This study demonstrated that a moxidectin 10 g liter⁻¹ non-aqueous injectable formulation, injected subcutaneously in cattle at a dose of either 0.2 or 0.3 mg moxidectin kg⁻¹ body weight was safe and highly effective in the almost complete elimination (>99% efficacy) for 56 days of both the nymphal and adult stages of naturally acquired infestations of the three species of sucking lice commonly found on cattle, Haematopinus eurysternus (Nitzsch), Linognathus vituli (L), and Solenopotes capillatus (Enderlein). The level of efficacy was never greater than 90% with either dose against Bovicola bovis (L). No adverse effects were noted on cattle from either of the moxidectin doses used. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of a new pyrethroid insecticide WL-85871 on foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Emulsifiable concentrate formulations of WL-85871 (‘Fastac’) at 10 and 20 g a.i. ha⁻¹, parathion-methyl (MEP) at 500 g a.i. ha⁻¹, and phosalone at 1200 g a.i. ha⁻¹ were individually applied to flowering mustard during June and July 1982. The applications were made by tractor-mounted boom-and-nozzle equipment to small plots in Normandy, France. Before each application, bee hives were placed adjacent to the mustard plots and fitted with either a pollen trap or a dead-bee trap. The application of both dose rates of WL-85871 and phosalone resulted in no increase in bee mortalities and no discernible effect on pollen collection or long-term hive development. In contrast, the application of MEP resulted in substantial bee mortalities, reduced pollen collection and adversely affected hive development. Both dose rates of WL-85871 caused a sharp decline in foraging activity immediately after application, followed by a return to normal activity within a few hours. A prolonged gradual reduction in foraging activity occurred throughout the afternoon period after the phosalone application; with MEP, foraging activity fell rapidly to a very low level and remained so for the rest of that day and the following day. It was concluded that the ground application of WL-85871 at 10 and 20 g a.i. ha⁻¹ had no direct effect on honey bee survival and no observable effect on hive development.     

Effects of dimehypo (disodium 2-methylaminotrimethylene di thiosulfonate) on growth and cocooning of the silkworm,Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Saturnidae)

Dimehypo (disodium 2-methylaminotrimethylene di thiosulfonate), is an insecticide used on rice and other crops in China. However, contamination of mulberry leaves with this has been implicated in a reduction of silk production. The acute and chronic toxicity of dimehypo to Bombyx mori L over the partial life cycle of the organism was determined based on survival, growth and cocooning of two strains of silkworm larvae. A change in the ultrastructure of the posterior silk gland cell was also observed in this study. The results showed that the growth and development of tested larvae was impeded and their life cycle was prolonged in both strains. It was also found that dimehypo was extremely harmful to the cocooning of B mori. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that adverse effects of dimehypo arise as a result of changes in the biosynthesis of fibroin and in the physiological activity of the posterior silk gland cell. The maximum acceptable daily dose of dimehypo based on growth and cocooning of B mori is less than 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ µg day⁻¹ in spring-reared larvae and less than 1.7 × 10⁻⁸ µg day⁻¹ in autumn-reared larvae. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sub‐lethal effects of imidacloprid on bumblebees,Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae), during a laboratory feeding test

A laboratory feeding test was conducted on queenless micro‐colonies of three bumblebee workers (Bombus terrestris L) to study the effects of low doses of imidacloprid on pollen and syrup consumption, worker survival, brood size and larval development. Two doses were used: D1 = 10 µg AI kg⁻¹ in syrup and 6 µg AI kg⁻¹ in pollen; D2 was 2.5 times higher in syrup and 2.7 higher in pollen. During 85 days 27, 30 and 29 micro‐colonies were reared for control, D1 and D2 treatments respectively. Food consumption was not affected by either dose. During the 5‐day pre‐oviposition period the mean insecticide intake was 4.8 ng per day per worker in treatment D2. Both doses slightly but significantly affected worker survival rate by 10% during the first month, without any dose‐effect relationship. Brood production was significantly reduced in D1 treatment and larval ejection by workers was significantly lower in D1 and D2 than in control. No significant effect of D1 and D2 treatments on the duration of larval development was revealed. No residue could be detected in workers still alive after 85 days. It was concluded that the survival rate and reproductive capacity of B terrestris was not likely to be affected by prolonged ingestion of nectar produced by sunflower after seed‐dressing treatment with imidacloprid (Gaucho), since honey or pollen collected by honeybees foraging treated sunflower never revealed concentrations of imidacloprid higher than 10 µg kg⁻¹. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spectrophotometric determination of ferbam (iron(III) dimethyldithiocarbamate) in a commercial sample and wheat grains using 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline

A procedure has been developed for the determination of iron(III) dimethyldithiocarbamate by converting it into iron(III)- bathophenanthroline complex, which is then dissolved in water in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate as a surfactant, and the absorbance measured at 532 nm against a reagent blank. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range 0.3–20 µg ml⁻¹ in the final solution. The method is sensitive, highly selective and can be used for the determination of ferbam in a commercial sample, in mixtures with various dithiocarbamates (ziram, zineb, maneb, etc.) and from wheat grains. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Laboratory Evaluation of the Novel Naturally Derived Compound Spinosad against Ceratitiscapitata

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of the naturally derived compound spinosad on Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera, Tephritidae). The organophosphate fenthion was used as a standard. Direct dose-dependent mortality and reduced fecundity were observed in oral treatment of adults with spinosad. The LC₉₀ values 14 h and seven days after treatment were 19·50 and 0·49 mg litre⁻¹ respectively. Fenthion was less active (the LC₅₀ eight days after treatment was 1·17 mg litre⁻¹) and did not affect the fecundity of the fly. Adults were also very susceptible to spinosad and fenthion via residual contact. For spinosad, 100% mortality was recorded 48 h after treatment for a dose of 10 mg litre⁻¹. Spinosad was more effective than fenthion in suppressing larval development when neonate larvae were reared on treated diet supplemented with a range of concentrations from 0·02 to 0·83 mg kg⁻¹ diet. Last-instar larvae were much less susceptible to spinosad or fenthion when exposed via dipping or when they pupated in treated medium and both products had similar performance. A lack of ovicidal activity was observed in direct egg-treatments with spinosad but significant reductions from 1 mg litre⁻¹ onwards were recorded for fenthion.     

The effect of initial concentration of carbofuran on the development and stability of its enhanced biodegradation in top‐soil and sub‐soil

Carbofuran was incubated in top‐soil and sub‐soil samples from a pesticide‐free site at a range of initial concentrations from 0.1 to 10 mg kg⁻¹. Amounts of the incubated soils were removed at intervals over the subsequent 12 months, and the rate of degradation of a second carbofuran dose at 10 mg kg⁻¹ was assessed. An applied concentration as low as 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ to top‐soil resulted in more rapid degradation of the fresh addition of carbofuran for at least 12 months. The degree of enhancement was generally more pronounced with the higher initial concentrations. When the same study was conducted in sub‐soil samples from the same site, an initial dose of carbofuran at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ resulted in only small increases in rates of degradation of a second carbofuran dose. However, degradation rates in the sub‐soil samples were, in many instances, considerably greater than in the corresponding top‐soil samples, irrespective of pre‐treatment concentration or pre‐incubation period. Initial doses of 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ and higher applied to sub‐soil successfully activated the sub‐soil microflora. Application of the VARLEACH model to simulate carbofuran movement through the soil profile indicated that approximately 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ of carbofuran may reach a depth of 70 cm 400 days after a standard field application. The results therefore imply that adaptation of the sub‐soil microflora (c 1 m depth) by normal field rate applications of carbofuran is unlikely to occur. In experiments to investigate this in soils exposed to carbofuran in the field, there was no apparent relationship between top‐soil exposure and degradation rates in the corresponding sub‐soils. The results further confirmed that some sub‐soil samples have an inherent capacity for rapid biodegradation of carbofuran. The high levels of variability observed between replicates in some of the sub‐soil samples were attributed to the uneven distribution of a low population of carbofuran‐degrading micro‐organisms in sub‐surface soil. There was no apparent relationship between soil microbial biomass and degradation rates within or between top‐soil and sub‐soil samples. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Correction: Pestic. Sci. 53, 201–208 (1998)

In the paper ‘Proinsecticides effective against insecticide-resistant peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)),’ by D. Hedley et al., in Table 3 the units of both columns headed LC₅₀ should be (mg litre⁻¹)     

Organophosphorus and synergised synthetic pyrethroid insecticides as grain protectants for stored sorghum

A field experiment was carried out on bulk sorghum stored for 26 weeks in concrete silos in South Queensland. No natural infestation occurred. Laboratory bioassays of treated grain, in which malathion-resistant strains of insects were added to grain samples, indicated that all the treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+fenvalerate (1 mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), and fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+phenothrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) controlled typical malathion-resistant strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Pirimiphos-methyl (6mg kg⁻¹)+permethrin (1mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) allowed some survival of adults and progeny production by S. oryzae after 12 weeks, and by one strain of R. dominica throughout. Chemical assays established that the residues and rates of breakdown of these grain protectants on sorghum conformed to the general pattern on other cereal grains. Residues at the conclusion of the experiment were below the individual Maximum Residue Limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

Pharmacokinetics of sulfluramid and its metabolite desethylsulfluramid after intravenous and intraruminal administration of sulfluramid to sheep

Pharmacokinetic properties and tissue residues of the insecticide sulfluramid (I) and its major metabolite desethylsulfluramid (II) were determined in healthy sheep after bolus intravenous (IV) administration (5 and 15 mg kg⁻¹; n = 10) and bolus intraruminal (IR) administration (100 and 400 mg kg⁻¹; n = 12) of I . Depression, lethargy, and dyspnea were noted for 4 h after the higher IV dose, but not after the other IV or IR doses. The time courses of the mean blood concentrations of I and II were best described by a two-compartment open model with rapid distribution and slow elimination phases. The blood-to-plasma concentration ratios for I and II were 1.43 (± 0.50) and 26.7 (± 9.41), respectively, suggesting binding of II to red blood cells. The T_1/2β values for I and II for the higher IV dose of I were 15.3 (± 4.68) h and 63.4 (± 4.75) h and for the higher IR dose of I , 31.5 (± 5.41) h and 74.9 (± 7.49) h, respectively. Bioavailability was 28.6 (± 2.96)% for the lower IR dose and 19.5 (± 0.99)% for the higher IR dose. C_max values for II were higher in female than male sheep after IR administration of I . Only II was found in tissue samples, with the highest concentration being in liver (9.4 (± 5.2) µg g⁻¹). © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tracing a 14C-labeled carbamate molluscicide through the digestive system of deroceras reticulatum (müller)

The passage of a ¹⁴C-labeled carbamate, 2-(2-chloro-1-methoxy-' ethoxy)phenyl N-methylcarbamate, or its labeled metabolites through the alimentary system of the grey garden slug Deroceras reticulatum was examined by autoradiographic studies and scintillation counting. It was demonstrated that, in a first step, the molluscicide penetrated the cells of the oesophagus and the crop. It was quickly transported by the hemolymph to the periphery of the body and re-entered the cells of the digestive tract and the mid-gut gland in a second step from the hemolymph side. The crypt cells of the mid-gut gland are discussed as cells involved in detoxification, and connective tissue cells as the major storage sites of the labeled material. Excretion in feces and secretion in mucus are thought to be the routes of ¹⁴C elimination.     

Effects of temperature and concentration of the accelerators ethoxylated alcohols,diethyl suberate and tributyl phosphate on the mobility of [14C]2,4‐dichlorophenoxy butyric acid in plant cuticles

Intrinsic activities of monodisperse ethoxylated dodecanols (MEDs), diethyl suberate (DESU) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) were investigated using Stephanotis floribunda leaf cuticular membranes (CMs) and [¹⁴C]2,4‐dichlorophenoxy butyric acid (2,4‐DB) as a model solute. When sorbed in cuticular membranes, MEDs, DESU and TBP increase solute mobility and are called accelerators for this reason. With MEDs, dose‐effect curves (log mobility vs accelerator concentration) were linear but, with DESU and TBP, curves convex to the x axes were obtained that approached a maximum at 90 and 150 g kg⁻¹, respectively. Accelerators increased the mobility of 2,4‐DB in the CMs by 9‐ to 48‐fold, and effects were larger at lower temperatures (range 15–30 °C). Activation energy for diffusion of 2,4‐DB was 105 kJ mol⁻¹, decreasing with increasing accelerator concentrations to 26 kJ mol⁻¹ with DESU at 90 g kg⁻¹ and 64 kJ mol⁻¹ with TBP at 150 g kg⁻¹. Thus, the intrinsic activity of DESU was much higher than that of TBP, which implies that, for a given effect, less DESU than TBP would be needed. MEDs were also very effective accelerators, lowering activation energies to 36 kJ mol⁻¹. Data are discussed in relation to increasing rates of foliar penetration of active ingredients at low temperatures. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

A barn owl feeding study with [14c]flocoumafen-dosed mice: Validation of a non-invasive method of monitoring exposure of barn owls to anticoagulant rodenticides in their prey

A study was carried out to assess the feasibility of monitoring the exposure of barn owls (Tyto alba) to an anticoagulant rodenticide, flocoumafen, by analysis of residues in regurgitated pellets following consumption of flocoumafen-contaminated mice. Mice were fed on a diet containing [¹⁴C]flocoumafen, equivalent to 12 mg kg^?1, and killed 24 h later. A single [¹⁴C]flocoumafen-contaminated mouse was fed to each of four captive barn owls, equivalent to 0·11-0·23 mg kg^?1 per bird, followed on seven successive days by control diet (i.e. undosed mice). The [¹⁴C]flocoumafen dose was eliminated by the owls over the eight-day period in pellets (44%, range 35–55%) and faeces (18%, range 11–21%), with the highest residues being observed in samples from the first 24-h period. Further detailed analysis of the pellets confirmed that flocoumafen residues in the first-day pellets represented 15% (range 8–26%) of the original flocoumafen residues ingested by the barn owls. Calculations based on these data and typical flocoumafen residues in live captured rodents (following baiting) confirm that pellet residue analysis is a sensitive and appropriate method for the non-invasive monitoring of exposure of barn owls to flocoumafen. There were no symptoms of anticoagulant poisoning in any of the birds; two of the birds were successfully paired the next season and produced fledgelings.