抗吡虫啉桃蚜种群的选育及其交互抗性研究

采用浸渍法,在室内用吡虫啉对桃蚜敏感种群进行抗性选育,经过15代的连续汰选,获得抗性指数为14.34倍的抗吡虫啉桃蚜种群。对9种常用杀虫剂的交互抗性测定结果表明,该种群对拟除虫菊酯类如高效氯氟氰菊酯(抗性指数12.76倍)和溴氰菊酯(10.24倍),有机磷类如氧乐果(7.95倍)、辛硫磷(5.44倍)和甲胺磷(5.32倍)以及吡虫啉·高效氯氰菊酯混剂(8.90倍)均产生了不同程度的交互抗性,而对氨基甲酸酯类如灭多威(3.15倍)、有机氯类如硫丹(1.64倍)以及阿维菌素·辛硫磷混剂(2.31倍)等无明显的交互抗性。     

Potential of imidacloprid to control four species of psocids (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) infesting stored grain

The effectiveness of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid was evaluated against four psocid pests of stored grain. This research was undertaken because of the growing importance of psocids in stored grain and the need to identify methods for their control. The mortality and reproduction of adults of Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, L. entomophila (Enderlein), L. decolor (Pearman) and L. paeta Pearman in wheat treated with imidacloprid were determined. There were five application rates (0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 mg AI kg(-1) grain) and an untreated control. There were significant effects of application rate on both adult mortality and reproduction for all four species, but the effect of imidacloprid was sometimes more pronounced on reproduction. Imidacloprid was most effective against L. bostrychophila, with 100% adult mortality after 7 d at 5 mg AI kg(-1), 14 d at 2 mg AI kg(-1) and 28 d at 0.5 and 1 mg AI kg(-1). No live progeny were produced at 2 mg AI kg(-1). For L. decolor, there was 100% adult mortality after 28 d at 10 mg AI kg(-1) and no live progeny were produced at 2 mg AI kg(-1). For L. entomophila, there was 100% adult mortality after 14 d at 10 mg AI kg(-1) and 28 d at 2 and 5 mg AI kg(-1). No live progeny were produced at 10 mg AI kg(-1). At 10 mg AI kg(-1) there was 100% mortality of L. paeta adults after 28 d exposure and no live progeny developed. Because reproduction at some application rates occurred only in the first 14 d of exposure, it is concluded that the application rate leading to population extinction was 1 mg AI kg(-1) for L. bostrychophila, 2 mg AI kg(-1) for L. decolor and L. entomophila and 5 mg AI kg(-1) for L. paeta. This study shows that imidacloprid has potential as a grain protectant to control all four Liposcelis species in stored grain.     

The contact toxicity of indoxacarb and five other insecticides to Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), beneficials used in the greenhouse industry

The contact toxicity of indoxacarb, abamectin, endosulfan, insecticide soap, S-kinoprene and dimethoate to Orius insidiosus (Say) and Aphidius colemani Viereck were studied in the laboratory. These beneficials are often used in the greenhouses to manage various insect pests. Indoxacarb is slow acting and therefore, to estimate lethal dosages, observations should be continued for several days until data stabilize. Seven days after treatment, the LC50 was 0.119 g AI litre(-1) for O insidiosus adults and 0.019 g AI litre(-1) for A colemani. At that time, the recommended field concentration was 0.479 times the LC50 for O insidiosus adults and three times the LC50 for A colemani. In contrast, indoxacarb had no adverse effect on the reproductive capacity of wasps surviving a treatment or the developing wasps in the aphid mummy. Among the other insecticides S-kinoprene was the most innocuous while dimethoate was the most toxic to the two beneficials. The other insecticides had overlapping toxicities.     

氟虫腈等7种杀虫剂对鲫鱼的毒性及安全性试验研究

本文研究了氟虫腈等杀虫剂对鲫鱼的急性毒性作用。室内毒力测定结果表明:溴氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯对鲫鱼的毒性最高,毒死蜱、三唑磷毒性较高,氟虫腈、阿维菌素较安全,杀虫双对鲫鱼最安全。大田实验结果与室内实验结果基本一致,只是溴氰菊酯在稻田环境下,对鲫鱼的急性毒性大幅度下降。     

Baseline toxicity of several pesticides to Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) is a univoltine indigenous predacious mirid. It has been reported in several orchards where IPM programmes are used. It is a generalist, and feeds on phytophagous mites in addition to other arthropods. In Quebec, a foliar application of imidacloprid, deltamethrin or lambda‐cyhalothrin is used at least once per season to manage arthropod pests such as leafhoppers and leaf‐eating caterpillars. Meanwhile, several applications of metiram, flusilazole, myclobutanil and mancozeb are made to control apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter]. In laboratory trials, comparison of lethal concentrations of the three insecticides against H vitripennis nymphs and adults showed no significant difference. However, when lethal concentrations were compared between two growth stages for each insecticide, a significant difference was noted between adults and nymphs treated with lambda‐cyhalothrin, adults being more susceptible than nymphs. No such difference could be detected for imidacloprid or deltamethrin. When LC₅₀ values were compared with the manufacturer's label rates, deltamethrin and imidacloprid were toxic to the nymphs and adults, and lambda‐cyhalothrin was slightly toxic to the nymphs and moderately toxic to the adults. Among the fungicides evaluated in the laboratory, myclobutanil showed moderate toxicity to adults at the manufacturer's label rate. The remaining fungicides had no toxic effects to adults or nymphs, even at four times the manufacturer's label rate. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity of selected insecticides to the two-spot ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adalia bipunctata</Emphasis>

The toxicity of pirimicarb, imidacloprid, dimethoate, lambda-cyhalothrin, flonicamid and spinosad to the two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata, was evaluated in a laboratory study. Susceptibility of fourth instars and female adults was assessed by measuring toxicity via residual contact and ingestion through feeding on contaminated green peach aphids (Myzus persicae). Flonicamid and spinosad had no lethal effects on larvae and female adults. Pirimicarb was harmless to the predator by ingestion exposure but showed some residual toxicity at high concentrations to both larval and adult stages. Imidacloprid was highly toxic to the larval stage by residual and ingestion exposure but caused very low adult mortality when ingested through contaminated prey. Dimethoate and lambda-cyhalothrin were highly toxic to both the larval and adult stages of the ladybird. Our findings indicate that pest management programs in agricultural crops using dimethoate, lambda-cyhalothrin and, to a lesser degree, imidacloprid, are detrimental to A. bipunctata, whereas pirimicarb, flonicamid and spinosad are more compatible with the use of this predator.     

Effects of methoxyfenozide on Lobesia botrana Den & Schiff (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) egg, larval and adult stages

The effect of the non-steroidal ecdysone agonist methoxyfenozide was evaluated against different developmental stages of the grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana Dennis & Schiffermuller (Lep, Tortricidae). Methoxyfenozide administered orally reduced the fecundity and fertility of adults treated with 1, 5 and 10 mg litre(-1); longevity was not affected. An LC(50) value of 4.5 mg litre(-1) was obtained when applied to eggs of less than 1 day old. Surface treatment was more effective than when applied by spraying. Administered into the diet, methoxyfenozide had a larvicidal effect; older larvae were more susceptible than younger larvae, with LC(50) values of 0.1 mg litre(-1) for L(1), 0.04 for L(3) and 0.02 for L(5). Larvae treated with sub-lethal doses throughout their lives did not emerge as adults at the highest doses (0.08, 0.04, 0.02 and 0.01 mg litre(-1)), with 65% and 40% emergence occurring for the lowest (0.005 and 0.0025 mg litre(-1)). Mortality occurred only in the larval stage.     

七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾低龄幼虫的捕食能力评价

为了评估七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata对重大入侵害虫草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda（J.E.Smith）的防控效果,本试验在室内条件下开展了七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾1龄、2龄幼虫的捕食功能反应和种内干扰研究。结果表明：七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ模型,七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾1龄幼虫的日最大捕食量、瞬时攻击率和处理时间分别为233.100头、1.204和0.103 h;对草地贪夜蛾2龄幼虫的日最大捕食量、瞬时攻击率和处理时间分别为41.220头、1.075和0.582 h。七星瓢虫的搜寻效应随猎物密度的增加而逐渐降低。七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾的捕食作用受到较强的种内干扰。试验证明七星瓢虫对草地贪夜蛾具有较好的控害效果,可用于对草地贪夜蛾的防控实践。     

七星瓢虫的抗药性选育及其生物学特性研究

为了明确七星瓢虫对吡虫啉的抗性发展动态,在室内选用吡虫啉逐代筛选,选育抗吡虫啉的七星瓢虫品系。发现七星瓢虫对吡虫啉的抗性整体呈上升趋势,但抗性不稳定,选育20代后抗性为63.1519倍。同时为了明确七星瓢虫对吡虫啉产生抗性后对其生物学特性的影响,将抗性选育13代的七星瓢虫品系与敏感七星瓢虫品系、野外七星瓢虫种群进行生物学特性的比较,结果表明,从幼虫的整个发育历期来观察,抗性品系幼虫的发育历期为12.36 d,野外种群为9.88 d,敏感品系为10.62 d,3者之间差异显著;蛹发育历期3者之间没有差异;4龄老熟幼虫、蛹、初羽化雌成虫、初羽化雄成虫平均体重3组间有一定的差异;七星瓢虫抗性品系、敏感品系、野外种群前期的卵孵化率分别为63.0%、62.4%和66.3%,中期的卵孵化率分别为64.8%、58.7%和75.6%,后期的卵孵化率分别为69.3%、57.4%和75.5%,3组之间无显著差异;抗性品系雌成虫的平均产卵量为1043.3粒,敏感品系为1100.2粒,野外种群雌成虫为1250.1粒,3者之间没有显著差异。综上所述,抗药性对七星瓢虫的生物适合度有一定程度的影响,但是,由于抗性倍数较低,影响尚不明显。     

Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and neonicotinoid insecticides on the fungus gnat Bradysia sp nr. coprophila (Lintner) (Diptera: Sciaridae)

The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. israelensis (Bti), the neonicotinoid insecticides dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin and the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen were evaluated to determine their efficacy against the larval stages of the fungus gnat Bradysia sp nr. coprophila (Lintner) in the laboratory. Treatments were applied as a drench to the growing medium in polypropylene deli containers. The Bti treatments had no effect on either instar tested, whereas all the other compounds negatively affected both the second and third instars. This study demonstrates that the soil bacterium B. thuringiensis var. israelensis may not be active on these larval stages, whereas the neonicotinoid insecticides and the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen are effective on these stages. The fact that Bti is not effective on the second and third instars of the fungus gnat means that greenhouse producers using this insecticide must make applications before fungus gnat populations build up and before overlapping generations develop.     

Monitoring of insecticide resistance in damson hop aphid,Phorodon humuli Schrank (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from German hop gardens

The damson hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important sucking pests of many hop-growing areas world-wide. In this study we determined the efficacy of several insecticides against strains collected throughout the year 2001. All strains were collected in different hop gardens in the Hallertau (Bavaria), Germany, the largest hop-growing area of the world. First of all we established a leaf dip bioassay, carried out using six-well tissue culture plates and appropriate for monitoring susceptibility against imidacloprid, oxydemeton-methyl, cyfluthrin, amitraz, pymetrozine and pirimicarb. Four of these compounds, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, pymetrozine and amitraz, are currently registered for the control of sucking pests in German hop gardens and are useful against P. humuli. The leaf-dip bioassay system turned out to be very reliable and robust. Ten P. humuli strains were collected in May 2001 and maintained in the laboratory to assess their resistance to the different insecticides in comparison with two laboratory reference strains (H2 and H5). Using diagnostic concentrations, resistance monitoring for imidacloprid and cyfluthrin was investigated during July and August 2001 on 53 populations from 30 sites around the Hallertau, an area of ca 2500 km2. Resistance to diagnostic concentrations (LC95 for reference strains) of imidacloprid, amitraz and pymetrozine was not detected in any strain received in 2001, but late-season (August) populations seemed to respond more heterogeneously than those collected mid-season (July). Overall composite mean mortalities to diagnostic concentrations of imidacloprid (13 mg litre(-1)) in collections from May, July and August were 95 (+/-2.5), 98 (+/-2.3) and 87 (+/-5.9)%, respectively. Moderate resistance to pyrethroids was observed in all strains collected in May and August using a diagnostic concentrations of 10 mg litre(-1) cyfluthrin (LC95 of the susceptible reference strain H5). Slight to moderate resistance to diagnostic concentrations of oxydemeton-methyl and pirimicarb was observed in some, but not all, strains collected early season. The results are discussed in terms of the implemention of hop aphid resistance management strategies in German hop-cultivation areas.     

柑橘木虱防控药剂筛选及矿物油对其增效作用评价

为了筛选柑橘木虱高效防控药剂,提高药剂防治效果,本文探索了 10种杀虫剂对柑橘木虱的田间防效及矿物油对杀虫剂的增效作用.结果表明:对柑橘木虱成虫,22％噻虫·高氯氟悬乳剂(SE)、70％吡虫啉可湿性粉剂(WP)、6％联菊·啶虫脒微乳剂(ME)和5％高效氯氟氰菊酯ME的速效性好,药后1 d防效94.61％～100％;22...     

Toxicity of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides to avocado thrips in nursery avocado trees

The efficacies of four systemic neonicotinoid insecticides applied to potted avocado trees at manufacturer-recommended rates were assessed against the avocado thrips, Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara. At the time of treatment, fully expanded first-flush young leaves were tagged for identification, and a proportion of these leaves was used in bioassays with second-instar thrips. At 7 weeks post-treatment, a second flush of leaves had fully expanded on the trees, and these leaves were included in additional bioassays comparing avocado thrips mortality on both first- and second-flush leaves. In bioassays with first-flush leaves, imidacloprid (273 mg AI pot(-1)) was the most effective insecticide, providing at least 70% mortality of thrips for 14 weeks. Thiamethoxam (137 mg AI pot(-1)), clothianidin (109 mg AI pot(-1)) and dinotefuran (241 mg AI pot(-1)) provided good control in bioassays that were conducted within 4 weeks of treatment, but thereafter their efficacies were inconsistent. In bioassays with second-flush leaves, imidacloprid provided at least 70% mortality up to 9 weeks after the insecticide application. Thereafter, mortality declined to 30% or lower. Bioassays with second-flush leaves collected from trees treated with thiamethoxam, clothianidin and dinotefuran resulted in unacceptably low thrips mortality. Monitoring of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam residues by ELISA showed that the greater persistence of imidacloprid in both first and second leaf flushes was due to a steadier uptake of this material. Although thiamethoxam residues rose quickly within the first leaf flush, levels had already begun to dissipate by the time the second leaf flush had started to develop.     

Methoxyfenozide and pyriproxifen alter the cellular immune reactions of Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) against Beauveria bassiana

Effects of the two insect growth regulators (IGRs) methoxyfenozide, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) agonist, and pyriproxifen, Juvenile hormone (JH) agonist, were examined on the cellular immune responses of the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps versus the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The simultaneous treatment with the IGRs and the fungal spores altered haemocyte count (total and differentiate), nodulation response and phenoloxidase (PO) activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It was observed that different concentrations of methoxyfenozide increased total and differentiate haemocyte numbers as well as B. bassiana-induced nodulation response. In contrast with the JH agonist, pyriproxifen significantly decreased total and differentiate haemocyte numbers and inhibited nodule formation in E. integriceps adults. The 20E agonist displayed major effects when injected at the doses 2.79 and 5.59 μg/mg adult. In contrast, injecting adults by pyriproxifen significantly impaired their ability to raise an efficacious response against the fungal spores. The ability of the two IGR analogues to interfere with activity of the PO system in haemolymph of E. integriceps adults was also investigated 6 h after injection by fungal spores. Methoxyfenozide had an excitatory effect on PO activity when the 5.59 μg/mg concentration was used against adults. Conversely, pyriproxifen had an inhibitory effect on PO activity when used at 1.49 μg/mg adult concentration. These findings demonstrate that pyriproxifen may interfere with cell-mediated immunity of E. integriceps. So, pyriproxifen could be a good candidate for the integrated control of the Sunn pest.     

Acute and sublethal toxicity of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The acute and sublethal toxicities of novaluron, a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor, to a laboratory-reared insecticide-susceptible strain of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were determined. Novaluron exhibited excellent residual (120 h LC(50) = 0.42 mg litre(-1)) and good direct contact (120 h LC(50) = 27 mg litre(-1)) activity against second-instar larvae (L2). Hatch of eggs exposed by direct contact to novaluron solutions > or =100 mg litre(-1) was significantly reduced, as was the ability of emerged first-instar larvae to moult. L2 from eggs exposed to > or =100 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly less (P < 0.0001) than those from untreated eggs. However, L2 from eggs treated with 1 mg litre(-1) novaluron weighed significantly more (P < or = 0.05) than those from untreated eggs, suggesting novaluron can have a hormetic effect on L decemlineata larval development. Leptinotarsa decemlineata mating pairs fed foliage treated with novaluron at 25 or 75 g AI ha(-1) produced approximately 25% fewer egg masses and eggs per mass. Hatch of eggs on treated foliage was almost completely suppressed, and longevity of male beetles was reduced by approximately 50% when fed foliage treated with novaluron at 75 g AI ha(-1).     

Acaricidal effects of cardiac glycosides, azadirachtin and neem oil against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae)

The cardiac glycoside, digitoxin, from Digitalis purpurea L (Scrophulariaceae), a cardiac glycosidal (cardenolide) extract from Calotropis procera (Ait) R Br (Asclepiadaceae), azadirachtin and neem oil from Azadirachta indica A Juss (Meliaceae) were tested for their effects against larvae and adult stages of the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). The contact LC50 values of the first three materials against adults were 4.08, 9.63 and >40.7 microg cm(-2), respectively, whereas the dipping LC50 values of the four materials were 409.9, 1096, >5000 and >5000 mg litre(-1), respectively. Contact and dipping LC50 values of the extract and azadirachtin against larvae were 6.16, >20.3 microg cm(-2) and 587.7 and >2500 mg litre(-1), respectively. Azadirachtin had no effects on egg production or feeding of adults up to 5000 mg litre(-1); however at 2500 mg litre(-1), it caused significant reduction in feeding activity of larve, prolonged the period for moulting to nymphal stage, and caused 60% reduction in moultability. Results of the two cardiac glycoside materials are comparable with those of several commercial acaricides. The risks and benefits associated with the use of cardiac glycosides are considered.     

Toxicity of insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its natural enemies

Efficient chemical control is achieved when insecticides are active against insect pests and safe to natural enemies. In this study, the toxicity of 17 insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the selectivity of seven insecticides to natural enemies of this insect pest were evaluated. To determine the insecticide toxicity, B. tabaci adults were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion, methamidophos, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenitrothion, fenpropathrin, fenthion, phenthoate, permethrin and trichlorphon at 50 and 100% of the field rate (FR), and to water (untreated control). To determine the insecticide selectivity, adults of Encarsia sp., Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion and methamidophos at 50 and 100% FR, and to water. Groups of each insect species were exposed to kale leaves preimmersed in each treatment under laboratory conditions. Mortality of exposed individuals was recorded 24 h after treatment. Cartap and imidacloprid at 50 and 100% FR and abamectin and acetamiprid at 100% FR showed insecticidal activity to B. tabaci adults. Abamectin at 50 and 100% FR was the least insecticidal compound to the natural enemies Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. The present results suggest that abamectin at 100% FR may decrease B. tabaci field populations but can still be harmless to predators. Implications of these results within an integrated pest management context are discussed.     

Relationship between biochemical biomarkers and pre-copulatory behaviour and mortality in Gammarus pulex following pulse-exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin

The impact of the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin was studied in an in-stream mesocosm placed in a natural riffle of a Danish stream. Twice during summer 2002, the natural macroinvertebrate community was exposed in situ to a 30-min pulse of lambda-cyhalothrin. During exposure, nets caught macroinvertebrates in drift. Exposed and unexposed individuals of the amphipod Gammarus pulex (L) were transferred to aquaria in the laboratory and monitored for biochemical changes (ie biomarkers), pre-copulatory behaviour and mortality. Biochemical biomarkers were identified by screening extracts of exposed and unexposed G pulex using high-performance planar chromatography (HPPC). Biochemical biomarkers were detected 3 h after pulse-exposure, and one biomarker was persistent up to 7 days after exposure. Pre-copulatory behaviour (ie pair formation) was significantly impaired up to 5 days after exposure, and had not fully recovered at the end of the observation period. EC10(0.5 h) and EC50(0.5 h) values for pre-copulatory behaviour were 0.04 and 0.20 microg litre(-1), respectively. Mortality was significant at 0.35 microg litre(-1) with an LC50(0.5 h) of 5.69 microg litre(-1). There was a significant relationship between two biomarkers and mortality. The study demonstrated that pulse-exposure at expected environmental concentrations can reduce local populations of G pulex, resulting in severe impact on populations with limited possibilities of re-colonisation.     

Simazine dynamics in a vineyard soil at Casablanca valley, Chile

Field dissipation, soil movement and laboratory leaching studies were performed to elucidate the effect of two rainfall amounts in the behaviour and environmental fate of simazine under climatic conditions at Casablanca Valley, Chile. Dissipation and soil movement were studied in a field vineyard with a sandy loam soil (Inceptisol; 74.08% sand; 14.87% silt and 11.04% clay). Simazine was applied to bare soil at 2.0 kg AI ha(-1), and its concentration was measured using immunoassay (ELISA) at 0, 10, 20, 40 and 90 days after application under two rainfall amounts, natural field conditions (39 mm) and modified conditions (39 + 180 mm). Simazine leaching was studied using soil core PVC lysimeters (0.9 m height; 0.22 m diameter). Field dissipation data were adjusted with a bi-exponential model. Half-life (DT(50)) values varied between 31.3 (+/-2.5) and 19.0 (+/-4.2) days under natural and modified conditions, respectively. Simazine K(d) varied from 0.42 to 2.15 (K(oc) 32.6-216.2) in the soil profile. Simazine was detected at a 90-cm soil depth in concentrations of 0.0085 (+/-0.0043) mg kg(-1) and 0.0321 (+/-0.001) mg kg(-1) under field and modified conditions, respectively. The maximum simazine leachate concentrations were 0.013 (+/-0.00084) mg litre(-1) (0.012% of total applied simazine) and 0.0084 (+/-0.00082) mg litre(-1) (0.11% of total applied simazine) for field and modified conditions respectively. These data indicate that water quantity has a significant effect on the DT(50) and the amount of simazine that moved through the soil profile, but not on the soil depth reached by this herbicide.     

Risk posed to honeybees (Apis mellifera L,Hymenoptera) by an imidacloprid seed dressing of sunflowers

In a greenhouse metabolism study, sunflowers were seed‐treated with radiolabelled imidacloprid in a 700 g kg^?1 WS formulation (Gaucho® WS 70) at 0.7 mg AI per seed, and the nature of the resulting residues in nectar and pollen was determined. Only the parent compound and no metabolites were detected in nectar and pollen of these seed‐treated sunflower plants (limit of detection <0.001 mg kg^?1). In standard LD₅₀ laboratory tests, imidacloprid showed high oral toxicity to honeybees (Apis mellifera), with LD₅₀ values between 3.7 and 40.9 ng per bee, corresponding to a lethal food concentration between 0.14 and 1.57 mg kg^?1. The residue level of imidacloprid in nectar and pollen of seed‐treated sunflower plants in the field was negligible. Under field‐growing conditions no residues were detected (limit of detection: 0.0015 mg kg^?1) in either nectar or pollen. There were also no detectable residues in nectar and pollen of sunflowers planted as a succeeding crop in soils which previously had been cropped with imidacloprid seed‐treated plants. Chronic feeding experiments with sunflower honey fortified with 0.002, 0.005, 0.010 and 0.020 mg kg^?1 imidacloprid were conducted to assess potential long‐term adverse effects on honeybee colonies. Testing end‐points in this 39‐day feeding study were mortality, feeding activity, wax/comb production, breeding performance and colony vitality. Even at the highest test concentration, imidacloprid showed no adverse effects on the development of the exposed bee colonies. This no‐adverse‐effect concentration of 0.020 mg kg^?1 compares with a field residue level of less than 0.0015 mg kg^?1 ( = limit of detection in the field residue studies) which clearly shows that a sunflower seed dressing with imidacloprid poses no risk to honeybees. This conclusion is confirmed by observations made in more than 10 field studies and several tunnel tests. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry