SHORT-TERM IMPACTS OF FORMULATIONS OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS VAR. ISRAELENSIS DE BARJAC AND THE ORGANOPHOSPHATE TEMEPHOS,USED IN BLACKFLY (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) CONTROL,ON RHEOPHILIC BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE MIDDLE ORANGE RIVER,SOUTH AFRICA

Summary

The impacts of larvicides used in the control of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) on macroinvertebrates in the stones-in-current biotope were assessed during 8 field trials in the middle Orange River, South Africa. Two Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) products (Vectobac^R 12AS and Teknar^R HP-D) and the organophosphate temephos (Abate^R 200EC) were applied at recommended and high dosages to simulate “operational” and “worst-possible” scenario's respectively. Mortality was evaluated either by direct counting of invertebrates on stones before and after application, or by ranking invertebrates on a 4-point relative abundance scale before and after application. In addition, the re-appearance of benthic invertebrate population densities after temephos application was examined.

At the recommended dosage (1.2 ppm/10 min), B.t.i. significantly reduced blackfly larval numbers (P<0.001) and those of the chironomid Rheotanytarsus fuscus Freeman (P<0.05). At high dosage (20 ppm/10 min), numbers of the filter-feeding mayfly Tricorythus discolor (Burmeister) (P<0.01) and the chironomid Cardiocladius sp. (P<0.05) were also significantly reduced. No Simulium predators were directly affected by B.t.i., but there were indications of food shortage amongst Hydropsychidae and Hirudinea.

Temephos caused significant reductions in the relative abundance of 5 taxa at 0.05 ppm, 3 to 6 taxa at 0.1 ppm, and 9 taxa at 1.0 ppm (P<0.05). “Non-target” organisms which were most affected included the chironomid R. fuscus, the mayflies Baetis glaucus Agnew and Choroterpes elegans Barnard, and the caddisflies Cheumatopsyche thomasseti Ulmer and Amphipsyche scottae Kimmins. The mayfly T. discolor was tolerant of temephos, even at high dosage (1.0 ppm/10 min). In winter, most taxa re-appeared within 19 days, and population densities were back to pre-treatment levels within 35 days.

It is concluded that good reduction of blackfly populations may be obtained with minimal direct impact on the “non-target” fauna, provided recommended dosages of temephos are not exceeded. Overdosing with temephos may result in high mortality of “non-target” organisms, including blackfly predators, and should be avoided.     

Diphacinone with cholecalciferol for controlling possums and ship rats

ABSTRACT

Potent second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum have been used as more effective alternatives to first-generation anticoagulants, such as warfarin. A combination of diphacinone at 0.005% and cholecalciferol at 0.06% produces a slow-acting bait that is effective at killing possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rodents. Cage trials with groups of possums and ship rats (Rattus rattus) achieved a mortality of 87% and 86% for possums and ship rats, respectively. Two field trials, each 200 hectares in size, targeting possums, ship rats and mice achieved an average reduction in the abundance of 94% for possums, 94% for ship rats and 80% for mice. The combination of diphacinone and cholecalciferol appears effective and has a favourable risk profile compared with second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, such as brodifacoum. Approval of this new bait by the New Zealand Environmental Protection Agency was granted in 2018 and final registration obtained from the Ministry of Primary Industries in 2019.     

Enantioselective Uptake and Translocation of a Novel Chiral Neonicotinoid Insecticide Cycloxaprid in Youdonger (Brassica campestris subsp. Chinensis)

For a novel potential commercial chiral pesticide, an independent study on the fate characteristics and residues of each stereoisomer is essential if the application rates for the pesticide and human exposure are to be reduced. The absorption and translocation behavior of a chiral insecticide, cycloxaprid, in plants treated by root immersion and blade smearing was studied using ¹⁴C‐labeling tracer techniques. With the root treatment, total absorption of (1R;8S)‐cycloxaprid (RS) (12.39%) was much greater than that of (1S;8R)‐cycloxaprid (SR) (3.31%) at 192 h after treatment (HAT). The mass concentrations ( RS / SR ) of cycloxaprid in the roots, cotyledons, leaf 1, leaf 2, and leaf 3 were 37.0/16.8, 8.3/2.8, 11.7/6.5, 5.1/4.8, and 8.0/4.7 mg kg^‐1 (fresh weight), respectively, at 192 HAT at an initial concentration 1.6 mg kg^‐1. With the foliar application treatment, no significant difference was observed between the total absorption of RS (3.11%) and SR (4.03%) at the end of the treatment. Both acropetal and basipetal transport of absorbed ¹⁴C occurred and more than 71.83% of absorbed RS and 82.42% of SR remained in the treated leaf. Stereoselective absorption was observed during root uptake but not during foliar absorption. Chirality 25:686–691, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Optimization of Chlorpyrifos Degradation by Assembled Bacterial Consortium Using Response Surface Methodology

Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used organophosphate pesticide. Its extensive use and associated serious soil and water contamination have gained increasing environmental concern. Biodegradation is a promising way to remediate chlorpyrifos contamination. There are many reports on various chlorpyrifos degrading microorganisms, but only a few on biodegradation of chlorpyrifos by consortia. Hence, the present study attempted to assemble a novel bacterial consortium C5 for the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos. The 16S rRNA gene-based molecular analysis revealed that the bacterial consortium consisted of Staphylococcus warneri CPI 2, Pseudomonas putida CPI 9 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia CPI 15. Optimization of chlorpyrifos degradation by the consortium C5, using a Box–Behnken design, was carried out taking into account four important variables: temperature, pH, the initial concentration of chlorpyrifos and time of incubation. C5 is capable of giving 90% degradation of chlorpyrifos (125 ppm) in 8 days of incubation under optimized conditions of pH (7) and temperature (30°C). Growth curve and degradation study under optimized conditions confirmed that consortium could improve the biodegradation potential. From these results, we conclude that the novel consortium C5 of three species can be used to eliminate chlorpyrifos from various environmental compartments and can be implemented in bioreactors in a cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly manner.     

洞察景观环境影响蜜蜂之新视角: 肠道微生物

作为生态服务提供者的传粉蜜蜂与景观生态息息相关, 而以农田为主的景观组成显著降低了传粉蜜蜂的多样性。目前调查研究显示, 农田的扩张与蜜蜂多样性下降相关, 且农药残留对蜜蜂损害严重。景观中的开花植物决定了蜜蜂的食物(营养)组成, 其中花粉蛋白含量与蜜蜂的生长发育紧密相关。尽管研究已证实景观环境会显著影响蜜蜂蜂群的发展和个体的生长繁殖能力, 但未来还需要加强景观组成变化直接作用于蜜蜂的机制研究。另一方面, 大量研究表明蜜蜂肠道共生菌是影响宿主健康的重要因素: 可促进宿主吸收营养和抵抗病原菌。作为传粉者, 蜜蜂接触到的主要外部环境——花粉和花蜜都含有特殊的微生物, 很多研究暗示花源微生物是蜜蜂肠道菌来源之一。研究表明景观环境相关的食物(营养)、农药残留以及环境微生物都会显著影响肠道微生物。现有少量的研究证明不同景观的蜜蜂肠道微生物有差异, 景观环境可能通过作用于蜜蜂肠道微生物进而影响蜜蜂健康。然而不同景观环境中的微生物, 尤其是花源微生物和蜜蜂肠道菌之间的关联有待证明。景观对蜜蜂肠道微生物的影响值得研究, 希望可以从肠道菌的视角鉴别对蜜蜂友好的景观环境, 进而指导土地合理利用和蜜蜂保护。     

乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的毒性及风险评估

【目的】明确乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂Bombus terrestris的毒性, 探讨这两种农药亚致死浓度对地熊蜂体内乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)和羧酸酯酶(CarE) 3种解毒酶活性的影响。【方法】采用饲喂法测定60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性,依据农药对蜜蜂生态风险的危害熵(hazard quotient, HQ)值评估这两种农药对地熊蜂的风险。同时测定了这两种农药亚致死剂量(LD₅₀和LD₈₀)处理后地熊蜂AchE, GST和CarE的活性变化。【结果】60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性测定48 h时LD₅₀值分别为3.590和1 447 μg a.i./蜂,其中60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素表现为中毒,43%联苯肼酯表现为低毒。两种农药对地熊蜂采集蜂的HQ值均低于50,表现为低风险。LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量的乙基多杀菌素处理组与对照组相比,3 h时地熊蜂AchE活性被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的1.45和1.23倍,24 h后活性受到抑制,两个剂量处理组AchE活性均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05);CarE活性3 h时同样被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性分别为对照组的1.24和1.53倍, 24 h后活性受到抑制,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05);LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的2.24和2.58倍,24 h后活性降低,但两个剂量处理组GST活性仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05)。43%联苯肼酯处理后,与对照组相比3 h时LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组AchE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后AchE活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),分别是对照组的75%和80%;CarE活性3 h时被抑制,LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性低于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后CarE活性被激活,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性高于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);LD₅₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h时被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),24 h后活性降低,但仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),3 h和24 h的活性分别为对照组的2.04和1.72倍,LD₈₀剂量处理组3 h的GST活性与对照组无显著差异(P＞0.05),24 h后活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05)。【结论】乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的HQ 评估均表现为低风险,其中联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的安全性较高,在熊蜂授粉过程中可以按照推荐剂量应用,但过量施用或者长期施用可能会造成熊蜂体内药剂积累引起生理或者行为的变化,乙基多杀菌素在温室及大田授粉期的使用剂量和方法有待进一步研究。     

The different dissipation behavior of chiral pesticide paclobutrazol in the brine during Chinese cabbage pickling process

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a kind of chiral pesticide, which is a plant growth regulator and has fungicidal activity. Because of the steric‐hindrance effect, there are two enantiomers (2S, 3S; 2R, 3R) in the production. This research studied on the dissipation behavior of chiral pesticide PBZ in the brine during the Chinese cabbage pickled process by phase column‐high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The result demonstrated the PBZ enantiomers had the different dissipation in the brine. The study on the behavior of chiral pesticide PBZ in food may provide more sufficient data and information for understanding the potential risk in food and evaluating the environmental pollution at the enantiomer level.     

Detecting Resistance to Organophosphates and Carbamates in the Cattle Tick Boophilus Microplus, with a Propoxur-based Biochemical Test

Rapid and sensitive detection of resistance to insecticides in arthropods is needed. In the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, resistance to a variety of acaricides is widespread. The most commonly used assay for resistance, the larval packet test, takes at least two, but generally six weeks for a one-host tick like B. microplus to complete and may take up to three months to complete for three-host ticks. Here we describe a test for resistance to organophosphate acaricides that can be used on larvae and adult ticks which takes less than 24 hours. The test measures the difference in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in homogenates of ticks in the presence and absence of propoxur, a carbamate acaricide. We found clear discrimination of organophosphate-susceptible and organophosphate-resistant adults with 100 M propoxur. AChE from susceptible ticks had almost no activity at this concentration of propoxur whereas AChE from resistant ticks had 67% of its potential activity. AChE from heterozygote ticks could also be distinguished from AChE from homozygous-susceptible and homozygous-resistant ticks. This is the first biochemical test for resistance to an acaricide. Rapid, sensitive tests like ours will allow resistance to organophosphates to be detected soon after it develops in the field, thus, the spread of resistance might be slowed and the useful life of acaricides extended.