PCBs and other toxicants inMysis relicta

This research considers the role ofMysis relicta in the recycling of toxic organics in the Lake Michigan ecosystem. Mysids were collected at a station 20 km offshore of Grand Haven, Michigan in spring, summer, and autumn and then size-sorted. In October 1980 and May 1981, plankton samples were collected in two size categories: >78 µm and >156 µm. Mysid fecal pellets andPontoporeia hoyi were collected in May 1981 while a fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadicornis) was collected in October 1980. Concentrated extracts of all samples were analyzed for chlorinated hydrocarbons using electron capture gas chromatography. Toxic organics detected were, in order of concentration: PCB, DDE, dieldrin, -chlordane, and HCB. DDT, DDD, and -chlordane were detected less frequently. PCB concentrations in mysids were similar to those observed in their plankton diet and there was no evidence of increased bioaccumulation with increased mysid age. Dieldrin and DDE generally occurred in higher concentrations in older than in younger mysids. Dieldrin concentrations were lower in the plankton than in mysids. Certain toxicants (PCBs, DDD, dieldrin, and -chlordane) occurred in higher concentrations inPontoporeia hoyi than in mysids. Concentrations in the sculpin generally were intermediate to those in amphipods and mysids. Our study suggests that mysids have a significant role in the recycling of toxic organics and that the characteristic pathways vary with the contaminant.     

Residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons in tissues of raptors in Florida

Dead or moribund raptors (n = 75) representing 11 species were collected between 1971 and 1981 from various locations in Florida. Samples of bran, muscle, liver and adipose tissue were analyzed for DDT, DDE, DDD, dieldrin, and PCB's. Detectable concentrations of DDT or its metabolites were found in 100% of all samples of muscle and liver, and 77% all samples of brain. Dieldrin was determined to be present in 91%, 93%, 87% and 78% of all samples of brain, muscle, liver and adipose tissue, respectively. Lethal or hazardous concentrations of dieldrin were found in brain samples from three birds, but DDT and PCB's were present at sublethal concentrations. When species were grouped according to their dietary habits, it was not possible to identify any trends in pesticide concentrations.     

The effects of polychlorobiphenyls on Chorthippus brunneus (Saltatoria: Acrididae)

Fourth instar nymphs of Chorthippus brunneus were dosed topically with polychlorobiphenyl. No sublethal effects were detected on development or reproductive potential except for a probable latent toxicity, which may be correlated with mobilisation of lipids at the moult. The amounts absorbed to produce these toxic effects are much greater than those found in wild specimens.

---

Zusammenfassung Vierten Larvenstadien von Chorthippus brunneus wurden jeweils einzeln Dosen von 12,5, 50 oder 200 g Polychlorbiphenyl (PCB) äußerlich appliziert. Die höchste Dosis verursachte in beiden Geschlechtern eine gewisse akute Vergiftung und es entstand wahrscheinlich auch eine latente Giftwirkung unmittelbar nach der Imaginalhäutung, welche mit der wenig polaren Natur von PCB und der Mobilisation von Lipiden bei der Häutung zusammenhangen könnte. Weitere subletale Wirkungen auf die Entwicklung oder die Fortpflanzungsfähigkeit waren nicht feststellbar, und verglichen mit den bei Wildfänglingen gefundenen Rückständen scheint es unwahrscheinlich, daß PCB beim gegenwärtigen Grad der Umweltverseuchung irgendwelche Wirkungen auf freilebende Insektenpopulationen ausübt.

     

Prey preference of predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are major pests in greenhouse crops. Recently, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was shown to be an effective biological control agent of both pests. Therefore, the prey preference of A. swirskii was determined using immature stages of T. urticae and B. tabaci in three various treatments based on Manly's β preference index (β). These treatments consisted of immature stages of two prey species (egg, first and second instar nymphs) with densities 12:12, 6:6 and 3:3, respectively, and with 13 replicates. After 24?h starvation, same-aged females of A. swirskii were added to the leaf discs. All experiments were done on bean leaf discs in Petri dishes (8?cm in diameter) in laboratory conditions with 25?±?2°C, 70?±?5% relative humidity and the photoperiod of 16L:8D hours. Comparing the preference indices using t-tests indicates a significant preference of the predator on eggs (t?=?10.80, df?=?24, P?t?=?8.17, df?=?24, P?T. urticae than B. tabaci. Our findings suggest that developmental stages of prey have effect on the prey selection by A. swirskii.     

Inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by DDT and DDE

The effect of DDT and DDE (a metabolite of DDT) on chloroplast electron transport was investigated. Photosynthetic electron transport in isolated spinach and barley chloroplasts as well as chloroplasts isolated from macroscopic green algae,Cdium fragile andChaetomorpha aerea, was inhibited by both compounds. Photoreduction and photophosphorylation measured in the presence of ferricyanide showed 50% inhibition at 2×10^–5 M DDT and DDE. P/2e ratios were 1·2–1·5, and remained constant in the presence of both inhibitors. The addition of uncouplers such as ammonium ion and carbonyl cyanide,m-chlorophenylhydrazone did not overcome the inhibition of the chlorinated hydrocarbons. Inhibition of phenazine methosulfate-catalyzed cyclic photophosphorylation by DDT and DDE was observed at low light intensities but was not seen at 2·5×10⁵ erg cm^–2sec^–1 and above. In the presence of DDT, a slow rise in measuring beam fluorescence was observed. The actinic beam fluorescence was slightly less than that in the control. Inhibition by DDT and DDE appears to be similar to that of DCMU. Brief sonication of the chloroplasts increases the sensitivity to DDT. The lack of penetration of DDT to terrestrial plant chloroplasts may be the reason why these are protected from this insecticide.     

Predation,oviposition and conversion rates of the predacious mite,Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) consuming different densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch,Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Thrips tabaci Lind.

Rates of prey consumption, egg production and prey conversion by the predacious mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) were estimated at different densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Thrips tabaci Lind. in the laboratory. N. californicus females functionally and numerically responded to the increasing densities of T. urticae nymphs, B. tabaci nymphs and T. tabaci larvae showing Holling’s type II. The maximum mean predation and oviposition rates by the predator females devouring T. urticae, B. tabaci and T. tabaci occurred at 15, 10 and 10 prey individuals/day, respectively, followed by the plateau levels at higher prey densities. N. californicus females exhibited the highest feeding and oviposition on T. urticae nymphs, followed by T. tabaci larvae and B. tabaci nymphs. The predator females showed the highest efficiency in converting the prey into egg progeny at 5 individuals/day of the previous prey species, respectively. T. urticae was the most favourable for N. californicus females, followed by T. tabaci and B. tabaci.     

Dieldrin-resistant cabbage root fly in England

The existence of dieldrin resistance in Erioischia brassicae has been investigated in the main areas in England and Wales where brassicas are grown for human consumption. Dieldrin-susceptible and dieldrin-resistant flies were collected and bred as separate strains in the laboratory. In toxicity tests adult flies were treated with topically applied doses of insecticide in microdrops of cellosolve, and larvae were dipped in solutions of insecticide in 70% acetone and 30% water. Adults of the laboratory resistant strain showed a high level of resistance to dieldrin and aldrin and a lower level of resistance to γ-BHC. There was no cross-resistance with chlorfenvinphos or diazinon. Larvae of the resistant strain were shown to be resistant to dieldrin. Dieldrin resistance has been found in four areas in southern England, but not in a fifth major area, and resistant flies did not increase as rapidly in some areas as others. Sufficient migration of flies appeared to take place to produce similar percentages of resistant flies over areas of several square miles, but considerable differences were found in fly populations about 10 miles apart. It is suggested that the speed of development of insecticide resistance is affected by the proportion of brassica crops which are treated in an area, the amounts of insecticide applied to individual crops, and hence the insecticidal pressure applied to the E. brassicae population.     

Predation,oviposition and longevity of the predacious mite,Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez at different prey densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Stigmaeidae,Tetranychidae)

The relation between some biological aspects of the predatory mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez and nymph densities of Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied in the laboratory. Predation and oviposition of A. exsertus showed Holling's Type II functional and numerical responses to changes in prey density. The total predation by A. exsertus females initially averaged 79.42 nymphs/female at 2 prey nymphs/day, significantly increased to a maximum average of 208.92 nymphs/female at 10 nymphs/day and gradually decreased to 90.92 nymphs/female at 30 prey items/day. Similarly, the predator significantly deposited total averages of 14.75, 76.42 and 34.33 eggs/female at 2, 10 and 30 nymph densities/day, respectively. The preoviposition and oviposition periods as well as longevity of A. exsertus significantly shortened with increasing prey densities.     

Development of increased irritability to insecticides due to decreased detoxication

Selection of adults of the spotted root maggot Euxesta notata with malathion, by a method in which they could avoid the insecticide, developed a strain in which the flies had an increased irritability to malathion and at the same time an increased susceptibility to it. Similar results were obtained by selection with parathion or with methyl parathion. The selected strains were found to have a lower ability to detoxify malathion by hydrolysis. Selection with dieldrin increased the resistance without changing the irritability, while selection with DDT increased the resistance and decreased the irritability to this insecticide.

---

Zusammenfassung Selektion von Fliegen der Wurzelmade Euxesta notata mit Malathion, bei der es den Fliegen ermöglicht wurde, dem Insektizid auszuweichen, ergab einen Stamm, der sich durch eine erhöhte Reizbarkeit und zugleich durch eine erhöhte Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Malathion auszeichnete. Selektion mit Parathion oder Methylparathion erbrachte ähnliche Resultate. Die selektionierten Stämme erwiesen sich als weniger aktiv in der Entgiftung von Malathion durch Hydrolyse. Selektion mit Dieldrin steigerte die Resistenz ohne die Reizbarkeit zu verändern, während Selektion mit DDT die Resistenz erhöhte und die Reizbarkeit durch dieses Insektizid verringerte. Diese Ergebnisse deuten Wege an, durch Selektion mit Insektiziden, jenen Typus von Verhaltensresistenz herbeizuführen, der auf einer Änderung der Reaktion gegenüber den erregenden Eigenschaften des Insektizids beruht.

---

---

This work was performed on a grant-in-aid (EMR No. 118) from the Canada Department of Agriculture.     

Tissue Residue Guideline for ∑DDT for Protection of Aquatic Birds in China

DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide that has been used worldwide. While the use of DDT has been phased out in many countries, it is still produced in some parts of the world for use to control vectors of malaria. DDE (1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) and DDD (1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) are primary metabolites of DDT and have similar chemical and physical properties. DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD) are collectively referred to as ∑DDT. The lipophilic nature and persistence of the ∑DDT result in biomagnification in wildlife that feed at higher trophic levels in the food chain. Wildlife in aquatic ecosystems depend on aquatic biota as their primary source of food, which provide the main route of exposure to ∑DDT. Studies about effects of ∑DDT on birds were reviewed. The tissue residue guidelines for DDT (TRGs) for protection of birds in China were derived using species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and toxicity percentile rank method (TPRM) based on the available toxicity data. Risks of ∑DDT to birds were assessed by comparing the TRGs and ∑DDT concentrations in fishes from China. The tissue residue guideline for protection of birds in China is recommended to be 12.0 ng ∑DDT/g food.     

Evaluation of the insecticidal toxicity of various pesticides for Atractomorpha lata (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) control

The insecticidal activity of 38 commercialized pesticides against Atractomorpha lata nymphs in Korea was studied. Seven pesticides showed greater than 70% insecticidal activity against A. lata nymphs after 48 h of treatment, and similar results were observed for adult A. lata using the spray method. The insecticidal activity of the seven pesticides, except for thiacloprid, against Oxya sinuosa adults was similar to that against A. lata. Clothianidin, tetraniliprole, and thiacloprid showed higher toxicity when plants and insects were treated together than when insects were treated directly, indicating that pesticides have ingestion toxicity against A. lata. Clothianidin and thiacloprid have been observed to have knockdown effects on both A. lata nymphs and adults. Tetraniliprole showed 86.7% mortality until 7 days after treatment in the residual effect test of pesticide exposure under field conditions. Therefore, this study provides basic data for A. lata control; tetraniliprole was found to be an effective insecticide for the control of A. lata nymphs and adults.     

Effects of sex and sampling site on the relative proportion of pesticides in uropygial gland secretions of European Blackbirds (Turdus merula)

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a pesticide that was commonly used for decades worldwide. The use of DDT was banned in the 1970s and 1980s in Europe because of its high toxicity and persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation in living organisms and biomagnification through food webs. However, monitoring using both invasive and non-invasive methods has routinely reported the occurrence of DDT metabolites such as dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in wild birds, providing valuable information about the exposure to pesticides and potential differences between species and over time. Here, we analysed the relative proportion of DDE in the uropygial gland secretions of European Blackbirds Turdus merula from two localities in southern Spain. Given the negative effects of this pollutant on animal immunity, we also tested for associations between the prevalence of haemosporidians and the relative proportion of DDE in their secretions. Relative proportions of DDE varied between sampling sites and were higher in females than in males, regardless of their age. In spite of the potential immunosuppressive effect of DDE, haemosporidian infection was not associated with DDE presence.     

Organochlorine pesticides in Cyprinus carpio from Sidi Salem Dam,north-western Tunisia

Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) caught in Sidi Salem Dam in 2011 were analysed for the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, heptachlor, lindane, dieldrin, endrin, and pp′-DDT and its two main metabolites pp′-DDD and pp′-DDE, in order to evaluate the extent of contamination of the dam. Fish were sampled monthly within the dam during 2011. Muscle, liver and gill tissues were analysed by gas chromatography for the determination of OCPs. Samples had variable concentrations of OCPs, ranging from 2.26 to 17.93 ng g?1, 0.59 to 42.67 ng g?1 and 3.30 to 84.27 ng g?1, which were isolated from gills, muscle and liver, respectively. The organochlorine pesticide levels found posed no threat to human health. The highest OCP levels were found in the liver tissues. The pp′-DDE concentrations and their ratios to ΣDDTs indicate aged DDT pollution and suggests that there has been no recent input of technical DDT from the agricultural areas into Sidi Salem Dam.     

Prevalence of a Nosema sp. (Microsporida: Nosematidae) in Natural Populations of Chorthippus brunneus (Orthoptera: Gomphocerinae) in Southern Spain

A microsporidium Nosema sp. was isolated from the grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg) collected in Spain. Infected individuals were found throughout most of the season when nymphs and adults of C. brunneus were present (March-June). Other acridoids collected in the same area were not found to be infected, indicating that this microsporidium is probably host specific. Attempts to artificially infect Dociostarus maroccanus (Thunberg) nymphs failed.     

Functional response of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on strawberry leaves

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is a predatory mite employed for biological control of the agricultural pest Tetranychus urticae (Koch). We explored whether environmental differences, in this case the trichome densities of abaxial leaf surfaces of strawberry cultivars (‘Maehyang’ and ‘Sulhyang’ varieties) affect the functional response of adult female N. californicus preying on immature stages (egg, larva and nymph) of T. urticae. We also evaluated the functional response of N. californicus to eggs of T. urticae at different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C). We conducted a logistic regression of the proportion of prey consumed as a function of initial prey density to identify functional response types, and used nonlinear least‐squares regression and the random predator equation to estimate attack rates and handling times. The functional response of adult female N. californicus to T. urticae was not influenced by non‐glandular trichomes on abaxial leaves but was affected by temperature. Overall, adult female N. californicus exhibited a type 2 functional response to T. urticae. The handling time of N. californicus was highest (1.9970 h) against T. urticae nymphs. The attack rate did not change much at 15–30°C, but was significantly higher at 35°C. The handling time decreased significantly with increasing temperature at 15–35°C. At 35°C, the attack rate was highest (0.2087) and the handling time was lowest (0.9511 h).     

A Simulation model for the arrowhead scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) population dynamics on citrus trees in relation to pest-management programs

1. A mathematical model was constructed describing population dynamics of the arrowhead scale, Unaspis yanonensis Kuwana. The population occurrence patterns simulated by the model from 1971 to 1976 were relatively consistent with the actual findings in the field.
2. The effects of control tactics for this pest were examined on the basis of the model.
3. Effective timing of insecticide (petroleum oil and organophosphorous insecticide) application was indicated to be 40 days after the initial appearance of 1st-instar nymphs in both the 1st and 2nd generations of the host.
4. The number of overwintering adult females in May of the next year (i.e., the starting point of the next year's population) decreased linearly with the increment in the degree of insecticide coverage. The pest populations were expected to be kept to low densities by petroleum oil sprays alone for the 1st generation when overall, complete coverage was accomplished.
5. Examination of the effects of two introduced parasitoids, Aphytis yanonensis and Coccobius fulvus, showed that they were able to control the scale population by themselves when more than 70% parasitism was achieved. When petroleum oil was applied to overwintering adults (termed winter petroleum oil) at the degree of coverage of 0.8, host populations were reduced by ca. 60% parasitism. When the winter petroleum oil was combined either with additional petroleum oil 40 days after the initial appearance of 1st-instar nymphs of the 1st generation or with an organophosphorous insecticide 40 days after the initial appearance of 1st-instar nymphs of the 2nd generation (degree of coverage=0.8 in each case), 40% parasitism led the reduction of the pest population.
6. The most desirable control program was considered to be one in which winter petroleum oil was used every year and additional petroleum oil or an organophosphorous insecticide was also used in those years when host density was high.

     

Reproductive biology of deep-sea catsharks (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae) in the eastern North Pacific

Apristurus brunneus, A. kampae, and Parmaturus xaniurus were caught by trawl and longline between Washington and southern California (48°N to 32°N latitude) from June 2001 through October 2004. In females, oviducal gland width increased with TL in all three species but remained within 4 to 6% of TL. Oocyte diameter increased with TL during reproductive development in all species, and continued to increase with size after reproductive maturity was reached. The weight-length relationships differed significantly among species but not between sexes of any species from the eastern North Pacific combined. Using logistic regression, it was determined that total length at 50% maturity (TL₅₀) of A. brunneus males was 514 mm TL and all A. brunneus males were mature at 547 mm TL. Female A. brunneus reached TL₅₀ at 501 mm TL and all female A. brunneus were mature at 581 mm TL. Apristurus kampae males and females reached TL₅₀ at approximately 485 mm TL and 490 mm TL, respectively. Parmaturus xaniurus males reached TL₅₀ at 444 mm TL and females at 501 mm TL. Gravid female A. brunneus were found in all months of the year, but gravid P. xaniurus were found primarily June through September. Adult A. kampae females were found only in July through November and there were gravid females in all these months. Based upon gonadosomatic indices, I _G, these species may mate within a defined period of time (April through June); however, A. brunneus appear to reproduce throughout the year and P. xaniurus reproduce within a defined season (approximately July through September).     

A Comparison of Ultrasonication and Soxhlet Methods for DDT Extraction from Soil

The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of ultrasonication extraction of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane (DDT), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane (DDD), and 2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]1,1-dichloro-ethylene (DDE) residues in soil for the purposes of saving time, minimizing generation of hazardous solvent wastes, and reducing costs associated with monitoring contaminant concentrations at remediation sites. An ultrasonic extraction method was developed for DDT, DDD, and DDE residues in soil, and the efficiency of extraction using an ultrasonic cavitator was compared to the traditional soxhlet method by GC-MS. Un-contaminated soil was spiked with analytes DDT, DDD, and DDE at 0.1,1.0,10.0, and 100.0?mg/ kg. Experiments were performed in triplicate, and recoveries of analytes were determined and statistically compared. Results indicate that ultrasonic extraction is a suitable preparatory method for analysis of DDT, DDD, and DDE residues in soil. For spike concentrations of 1?mg/kg to 100?mg/kg, ultrasonication extraction resulted in recoveries in excess of 80% in all but one case. Most recoveries obtained by ultrasonication extraction were statistically indistinguishable from or slightly lower than recoveries obtained by soxhlet extraction. In addition, the lower temperatures employed in ultrasonication extraction may have reduced the amount of thermal degradation of DDT to DDE, a phenomenon that could occur during soxhlet extraction.     

The effect of organochlorines and heavy metals on sex steroid-binding proteins in vitro in the plasma of nesting green turtles, Chelonia mydas

In this study on green turtles, Chelonia mydas, from Peninsular Malaysia, the effect of selected environmental toxicants was examined in vitro. Emphasis was placed on purported hormone-mimicking chemicals such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, dieldrin, lead, zinc and copper. Five concentrations were used: high (1 mg/L), medium (10⁻¹ mg/L), low (10⁻² mg/L), very low (10⁻⁶ mg/L) and control (diluted carrier solvent but no toxicants). The results suggest that environmental pesticides and heavy metals may significantly alter the binding of steroids [i.e. testosterone (T) and oestradiol] to the plasma proteins in vitro. Competition studies showed that only Cu competed for binding sites with testosterone in the plasma collected from nesting C. mydas. Dieldrin and all heavy metals competed with oestradiol for binding sites. Furthermore, testosterone binding affinity was affected at various DDT concentrations and was hypothesised that DDT in vivo may act to inhibit steroid-protein interactions in nesting C. mydas. Although the precise molecular mechanism is yet to be described, DDT could have an effect upon the protein conformation thus affecting T binding (e.g. the T binding site on the steroid hormone binding protein molecule).     

Host plant-mediated interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Competitive interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis were investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When placed first to colonize red raspberry leaves, T. urticae caused extinction of E. carpini borealis populations. E. carpini borealis had detrimental effects on T. urticae but did not cause T. urticae population extinction. The area used by E. carpini borealis for egg deposition decreased with an increase in the number of T. urticae eggs. Red raspberry showed an induced response to T. urticae and E. carpini borealis feeding after two weeks of infestation. Population growth of each species was reduced on plants that were previously infested by conspecifics but inducible response by one species had no effects on the other species.