Malathion-induced oxidative stress in a parasitoid wasp: effect on adult emergence, longevity, fecundity, and oxidative and antioxidative response of Pimpla turionellae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Effects of an organophosphorus insecticide, malathion, on survivorship and lipid peroxidation of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), pupae were investigated by rearing the newly hatched larvae on an artificial diet containing 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ppm of the insecticide. As bioindicators of long-term physiological stress responses, the adult emergence rate, longevity, and fecundity associated with lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzyme activity in the endoparasitoid Pimpla turionellae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were determined by rearing the parasitoid on a factitious host, G. mellonella pupae treated with malathion. At 100 ppm, malathion significantly decreased pupation rate of G. mellonella larvae and the rate of adult emergence of the parasitoid from these pupae. This concentration resulted in a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in both the host and the parasitoid. Malathion at 1 and 10 ppm significantly increased pupation rate and lipid peroxidation level of G. mellonella pupae. The adult emergence rate of P. turionellae was significantly decreased from 63.7 to 20% by these concentrations, whereas MDA content was increased by two- and three-fold, respectively, compared with the control (45.3 +/- 3.2 nmol/ g protein). The longevity of adults was significantly extended from 52.5 +/- 5.7 to 75.7 +/- 6.3 d when the parasitoids emerged from host pupae exposed with 0.1 ppm malathion. At low concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 ppm), malathion significantly increased the number of eggs laid per female per day. However, the lowest concentration (0.01 ppm) had no significant effect on hatchability, whereas 0.1 ppm of the insecticide resulted in significant decrease in egg hatch compared with the control. A significant increase in total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity for low concentrations of malathion (0.01-1 ppm) was found compared with the control. There was a significant positive correlation of SOD activities with adult longevity and fecundity. This study suggested that malathion-induced oxidative stress was causative factor in the deterioration of biological fitness and that increased SOD activities may have resulted in decreased oxidative damage, which retarded the rate of deteriorative physiological changes in P. turionellae in response to sublethal doses of malathion.     

棉铃虫的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs):杀虫药剂和植物次生性物质的诱导与GSTs对杀虫药剂的代谢

棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera（Hubner）中肠谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GSTs）对甲基对硫磷和灭多威的代谢能力明显高于对马来酸二乙酯（DEM）和两个混剂。LD5剂量的对硫磷和灭多威对棉铃虫3龄幼虫GSTs的活性均没有诱导增加的影响,用LD50的选择剂量仅对硫磷组GSTs活性增加15％。用含0．01％的芸香苷、2-十三烷酮和槲皮素的人工饲料饲养棉铃虫经1～4代后,GSTs活性提高4～18倍。3种植物次生性物质诱导组对灭多威和溴氰菊酯的敏感度均没有明显的变化,而槲皮素组对甲基对硫磷的敏感度则降低近一半,芸香苷和2-十三烷酮组对甲基对硫磷的敏感度略有降低。这种对甲基对硫磷敏感度的变化可能与上述GSTs活性的变化有关。     

棉铃虫核型多角体病毒与化学杀虫剂和卵磷脂混用的增效作用

棉铃虫核型多角体病毒(HaNPV)分别与三氟氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯、灭净菊酯、灭多威、辛硫磷、甲基对硫磷和乙酰甲胺磷等化学杀虫剂混合饲喂棉铃虫幼虫,统计致死中浓度LC₅₀,计算增效比,测定虫体内与抗性有关的三种重要酶：多功能氧化酶(MFO)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的活性。研究大豆卵磷脂对HaNPV致病性的影响。结果表明：HaNPV与化学杀虫剂混合饲喂抗性棉铃虫,生测统计增效比均大于1.0,特别是病毒与甲基对硫磷混用,增效比更是达到3.53,表现出良好的增效作用。混剂感染抗性棉铃虫,虫体内MFO的活性比化学杀虫剂单用时降低3～12倍,CarE和AChE的活性也比化学杀虫剂单用时低,HaNPV明显抑制了化学杀虫剂对MFO和CarE的诱导作用。HaNPV与大豆卵磷脂混用,提高了HaNPV对棉铃虫的感染致死率,缩短了致死中时间(LT₅₀)。     

Larval susceptibility of an insecticide-resistant western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) population to soil insecticides: laboratory bioassays, assays of detoxification enzymes, and field performance

Soil insecticides were evaluated in laboratory and field studies against larvae of an insecticide resistant population (Phelps County, NE) of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Insecticide toxicity was evaluated by topical application of technical insecticides to 3rd instars from Saunders County, NE (susceptible) and Phelps County populations. Resistance ratios (LD50 Phelps County/LD50 Saunders County) for the insecticides methyl parathion, tefluthrin, carbofuran, terbufos, and chlorpyrifos were 28.0, 9.3, 8.7, 2.6 and 1.3, respectively. Biochemical investigation of suspected enzymatic resistance mechanisms in 3rd instars identified significant elevation of esterase activity (alpha and beta naphthyl acetate hydrolysis [3.8- and 3.9-fold]). Examination of 3rd instar esterases by native PAGE identified increased intensity of several isoenzymes in the resistant population. Assays of cytochrome P450 activity (4-CNMA demethylation and aldrin epoxidation) did not identify elevated activity in resistant 3rd instars. Granular soil insecticides were applied at planting to corn, Zea mays L., in replicated field trials in 1997 and 1998 at the same Phelps County site as the source of resistant rootworms for the laboratory studies. In 1997, planting time applications of Counter 20CR, Counter 15 G (terbufos), and Lorsban 15 G (chlorpyrifos) resulted in the lowest root injury ratings (1-6 Iowa scale); 2.50, 2.55, 2.65, respectively (untreated check root rating of 4.55). In 1998, all insecticides performed similarly against a lower rootworm density (untreated check root rating of 3.72). These studies suggest that resistance previously documented in adults also is present in 3rd instars, esterases are possibly involved as resistance mechanisms, and resistance to methyl parathion in adults is also evident in larvae, but does not confer cross-resistance in larvae to all organophosphate insecticides.     

棉铃虫的谷胱甘肽S—转移酶(GSTs)：杀虫药剂和植物次生性物质的诱导与GSTs对杀虫药剂的代谢

棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hubner)中肠谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)对甲基对硫磷和灭多威的代谢能力明显高于对马来酸二乙酯(DEM)和两个混剂。LD₅剂量的对硫磷和灭多威对棉铃虫3龄幼虫GSTs的活性均没有诱导增加的影响,用LD₅₀的选择剂量仅对硫磷组GSTs活性增加15%。用含0.01%的芸香苷、2-十三烷酮和槲皮素的人工饲料饲养棉铃虫经1～4代后,GSTs活性提高4～18倍。3种植物次生性物质诱导组对灭多威和溴氰菊酯的敏感度均没有明显的变化,而槲皮素组对甲基对硫磷的敏感度则降低近一半,芸香苷和2-十三烷酮组对甲基对硫磷的敏感度略有降低。这种对甲基对硫磷敏感度的变化可能与上述GSTs活性的变化有关。     

Biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase immobilized onto layered double hydroxides for flow injection/amperometric detection of organophosphate pesticides

We developed a highly sensitive flow injection/amperometric biosensor for the detection of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) using layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as the immobilization matrix of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). LDHs provided a biocompatible microenvironment to keep the bioactivity of AChE, due to the intrinsic properties of LDHs (such as a regular structure, good mechanical, chemical and thermal stabilities, and swelling properties). By integrating the flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection, the resulting AChE-LDHs modified electrode greatly catalyzed the oxidation of the enzymatically generated thiocholine product, and facilitated the detection automation, thus increasing the detection sensitivity. The analytical conditions for the FIA/amperometric detection of OPs were optimized by using methyl parathion (MP) as a model. The inhibition of MP was proportional to its concentration ranging from 0.005 to 0.3μgmL(-1) and 0.3 to 4.0μgmL(-1) with a detection limit 0.6ngmL(-1) (S/N=3). The developed biosensor exhibited good reproducibility and acceptable stability.     

Biochemical basis of organophosphate and carbamate resistance in Asian citrus psyllid

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is a worldwide pest of citrus, which vectors the putative causal pathogen of huanglongbing. Current management practices warrant continuous monitoring of field populations for insecticide resistance. Baseline activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), general esterase, and glutathione S-transferase as well as sensitivity of AChE to selected organophosphate and carbamate insecticides were established for a susceptible laboratory strain (Lab) and compared with several field populations of D. citri from Florida. The specific activity of AChE in various D. citri populations ranged from 0.77 to 1.29 microM min(-1) mg of protein(-1); the Lab strain was characterized by the highest activity. Although reduced AChE sensitivity was observed in the Lab strain compared with field populations, overlap of 95% confidence intervals of I50 values (concentration required for 50% AChE activity inhibition) suggests no significant difference in AChE sensitivity among all populations tested for a given insecticide. There was no significant evidence of target site insensitivity in field populations that were exposed to the selected organophosphate and carbamate insecticides tested. The specific activity of general esterase and glutathione S-transferase was lowest in the Lab strain and was generally comparable to that of the field populations evaluated. The current data provide a mode-of-action specific baseline for future monitoring of resistance to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in populations of D. citri.     

Toxicity of parathion-methyl to cells, akinetes and heterocysts of the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermum, sp. and the probit analysis of toxicity

The toxicity of a commercial formulation of the insecticide parathion‐methyl to the N2‐fixing filamentous cyanobacterium (blue‐green alga) Cylindrospermum, sp. was studied. A concentration of parathion‐methyl of 0.5 ppm caused growth increase in liquid growth media. The minimum inhibitory concentration of parathion‐methyl for both types (N₂, fixing and nitrate supplemented) of liquid and solid media was 1.0 ppm. LC₅₀ values were: 4.4 ppm (liquid, N₂, fixing), 5.5 ppm (liquid, nitrate supplemented), 3.3 ppm (agar, N₂‐fixing) and 4.0 ppm (agar, nitrate supplemented). LC100 values for N₂‐fixing liquid and both types of agar media were 10.0 ppm, while for the liquid nitrate supplemented medium the LC₁₀₀ was 12.0 ppm. Both akinete (spore) formation and germination were inhibited below the highest permissive concentration of 8.0 ppm, with the insecticide incorporated in the agar media. In soil, the LC50 and LC100 values for parathion‐methyl were 13.6 and 30 ppm, respectively. Both the dehydrogenase activity of heterocysts (monitored by 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction) and the nitrogen concentration of cultures (estimated by the micro‐Kjeldahl method) were affected by the insecticide, but the latter (N₂‐fixation) was more sensitive. The Kruskal‐Wallis H test on the numbers of vegetative cells in the filaments revealed that the insecticide significantly affected the division of vegetative cells. The cyanobacterium could detoxify the growth medium containing high levels (30 and 40 ppm) of the insecticide in short‐term exposures at the expense of cell viability.     

不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

摘要 目的：探究不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：将48只成年雄性大鼠随机分为六组：假手术组、缺血对照组、脂肪乳组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组、中剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,每组8只。检测血清中酶的含量,观察肝细胞损伤程度,直观的反应乳化异氟醚预处理对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响。结果：不同组别大鼠肝脏再灌注后ALT、AST、LDH和MDA含量,SOD活性和肝细胞坏死比例均具有显著差异,随着再灌注时间的延长,各组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均明显增加（均P＜0.05）。再灌注后1 h、2 h和4 h中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠肝组织匀浆中MDA含量和肝细胞坏死比例均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,SOD活性显著高于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。结论：中等剂量乳化异氟醚预处理组中血清中酶含量最低,肝组织匀浆中MDA含量最低,SOD活性水平最高,肝细胞损伤程度最轻,对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注的保护作用最好。     

Distribution and dynamics of esterase alleles in Culex pipiens complex in China

To investigate insecticide resistance and dynamic changes of carboxylesterase polymorphism in mosquitoes with time in the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), nine field mosquito populations were collected in China. The resistance levels of fourth-instar larvae to organophosphate (dichlorvos, parathion, and chlorpyrifos), carbamate (fenobucarb and propoxur), and pyrethroid (permethrin, deltamethrin and tetramethrin) insecticides were determined by bioassay. Larvae had more resistance to organophosphate insecticides than to carbamate insecticides. A low but significant resistance was observed for carbamate insecticides. The resistance to pyrethroid insecticides varied from sensitive to high. Starch gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of the overproduced esterases B1, A2B2, A8B8, A9B9, B10 and A11B11. The frequency of each overproduced esterases varied depending on its regional localities. Compared with published surveys, the C. pipiens complex, which exhibited a high polymorphism of applied esterase alleles in China, showed dynamic evolution over time under local specific insecticide selection. The results are discussed in the context of recent alterations to insecticide campaigns, and in the evolution of resistance genes in Chinese C. pipiens populations.     

Protective effects of zinc in chlorpyrifos induced hepatotoxicity

The toxicological literature is replete with studies attempting to explain the mechanism of action of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides to their anticholinesterase activities, but not much is known about the metabolism and detoxification of these compounds. The goal of this study was to ascertain the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos, one of the most widely used OPs, on the liver of male rats and also to evaluate the protective potential of zinc in mediating its toxic effects. It was observed that chlorpyrifos (13.5 mg/kg body weight) treatment resulted in significant inhibition (p < 0.001) of serum and hepatic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities after 8 wk. However, zinc-treated (227 mg/L drinking water) animals resulted in significant normalization of the inhibited AChE activities. Similarly, a significant increase in the levels of various serum and liver marker enzymes (viz. alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) was observed following treatment with chlorpyrifos. However, coadministration of zinc to these animals restored these enzymes to within normal limits, even though some increase in the activity of serum ALT and hepatic alkaline phosphatase still persisted at the end of the study. Chlorpyrifos treatment diminished serum and hepatic zinc levels significantly (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) compared to normal control animals. Serum iron concentrations also plummeted significantly following chlorpyrifos treatment. On the contrary, serum copper levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in chlorpyrifos-treated animals, but they were normalized following zinc supplementation to the rats in this group. Interestingly, chlorpyrifos treatment resulted in elevated hepatic levels of copper, iron, and selenium, but zinc treatment could only partially restore the raised elemental concentrations. These data clearly demonstrate the potential role of zinc in mediating the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos, presumably because of their antioxidant properties and also their possible interaction with other trace elements in maintaining the cellular harmony.     

Effects of two biorational insecticides, spinosad and methoxyfenozide, on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions

The toxicity of two biorational insecticides, spinosad (Tracer) and methoxyfenozide (RH-2485), was tested against eggs, larvae, and pupae of the noctuid Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval). In the first experiment, filter paper circles containing egg masses of two different age classes, young (<24 h old) and old (24-48 h old), were dipped in different concentrations of each insecticide diluted in either water or acetone. No ovicidal activity was recorded when insecticides were diluted in water. In contrast, when insecticides were diluted in acetone, both egg age classes generally showed a concentration-dependent response for both compounds. Mortality of larvae that hatched from both egg age classes was significantly increased, compared with control larvae, at all concentrations of both insecticides when diluted in water or acetone alike. The prevalence of mortality was similar with each insecticide. In the second experiment, third instars of S. littoralis were fed semisynthetic diet containing different concentrations of both insecticides. According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between spinosad (2.11 mg [AI]/kg diet) and methoxyfenozide (3.98 mg [AI]/kg diet) after 48 h of treatment, based on the overlap of 95% CL. Toxic effects on the mortality of pupae, adult emergence, and the prevalence of deformed adults after topical application on young pupae also were examined. Only methoxyfenozide caused pupal mortality and deformed adults. Our results suggest that spinosad and methoxyfenozide are potentially potent compounds for control of S. littoralis.     

Action of the organophosphorous insecticide parathion on the free-living marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans Ehrbg

Growth of cultures of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans Ehrbg. was slowed by parathion greater than 1 ppm. Parathion also decreased chlorophyll content and perturbed cellular ultrastructure, eliciting especially plastoglobuli in their chloroplasts. Toxicity of this organophosphorous insecticide is unlikely to be due to its anticholinesterase activity since P. micans appears not to contain cholinesterase. Fluorescence kinetics show that parathion affects the photosynthetic system, particularly photosystem II.     

Laboratory evaluation of the toxicity of systemic insecticides for Control of Anoplophora glabripennis and Plectrodera scalator (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is one of the most serious nonnative invasive forest insects discovered in North America in recent years. A. glabripennis is regulated by federal quarantines in the United States and Canada and is the subject of eradication programs that involve locating, cutting, and chipping all infested trees. Other control methods are needed to aid in eradication and to form an integrated management program in the event eradication fails. We conducted laboratory bioassays to determine the toxicity of two systemic insecticides, azadirachtin and imidacloprid, for potential control of A. glabripennis and the cottonwood borer, Plectrodera scalator (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a closely related native cerambycid. Larvae of both cerambycid species were fed artificial diet with dilutions of azadirachtin or imidacloprid for 14 wk. Both insecticides exhibited strong antifeedant effects and some toxicity against A. glabripennis and P. scalator larvae. For A. glabripennis, the highest larval mortality at the end of the bioassay was 60% for larvae fed artificial diet treated with azadirachtin (50 ppm) or imidacloprid (1.6 ppm). For P. scalator, the highest larval mortality at the end of the bioassay was 100% for larvae fed artificial diet treated with azadirachtin (50 ppm) or imidacloprid (160 ppm). At 14 wk, the LC50 values for P. scalator were 1.58 and 1.78 ppm for azadirachtin and imidacloprid, respectively. Larvae of both species gained weight when fed diet treated with formulation blanks (inert ingredients) or the water control but lost weight when fed diet treated with increasing concentrations of either azadirachtin or imidacloprid. In a separate experiment, A. glabripennis adults were fed maple twigs treated with high and low concentrations of imidacloprid. A. glabripennis adult mortality reached 100% after 13 d on twigs treated with 150 ppm imidacloprid and after 20 d on twigs treated with 15 ppm imidacloprid. There was no visible feeding by A. glabripennis adults on twigs treated at the higher imidacloprid rate, and feeding was significantly reduced for adults placed on twigs treated at the low imidacloprid rate compared with adults on untreated twigs. In summary, imidacloprid and azadirachtin had both antifeedant and toxic effects against A. glabripennis and P. scalator and have potential for use in management programs. Based on our results, the delivery of high and sustained insecticide concentrations will be needed to overcome the antifeedant effects and lengthy lethal time for both larvae and adults exposed to these insecticides.     

Action of the Organophosphorous Insecticide Parathion on the Free-Living Marine Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans Ehrbg.

Growth of cultures of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans Ehrbg. was slowed by parathion >1 ppm. Parathion also decreased chlorophyll content and perturbed cellular ultrastructure, eliciting especially plastoglobuli in their chloroplasts. Toxicity of this organophosphorous insecticide is unlikely to be due to its anticholinesterase activity since P. micans appears not to contain cholinesterase. Fluorescence kinetics show that parathion affects the photosynthetic system, particularly photosystem II.     

Novel AChE Inhibitors for Sustainable Insecticide Resistance Management

Resistance to insecticides has become a critical issue in pest management and it is particularly chronic in the control of human disease vectors. The gravity of this situation is being exacerbated since there has not been a new insecticide class produced for over twenty years. Reasoned strategies have been developed to limit resistance spread but have proven difficult to implement in the field. Here we propose a new conceptual strategy based on inhibitors that preferentially target mosquitoes already resistant to a currently used insecticide. Application of such inhibitors in rotation with the insecticide against which resistance has been selected initially is expected to restore vector control efficacy and reduce the odds of neo-resistance. We validated this strategy by screening for inhibitors of the G119S mutated acetylcholinesterase-1 (AChE1), which mediates insensitivity to the widely used organophosphates (OP) and carbamates (CX) insecticides. PyrimidineTrione Furan-substituted (PTF) compounds came out as best hits, acting biochemically as reversible and competitive inhibitors of mosquito AChE1 and preferentially inhibiting the mutated form, insensitive to OP and CX. PTF application in bioassays preferentially killed OP-resistant Culex pipiens and Anopheles gambiae larvae as a consequence of AChE1 inhibition. Modeling the evolution of frequencies of wild type and OP-insensitive AChE1 alleles in PTF-treated populations using the selectivity parameters estimated from bioassays predicts a rapid rise in the wild type allele frequency. This study identifies the first compound class that preferentially targets OP-resistant mosquitoes, thus restoring OP-susceptibility, which validates a new prospect of sustainable insecticide resistance management.     

Cytoplasmic enzyme activities involved in energy and amino acid metabolism in pathological human renal cortex

Enzyme levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured in the cytosol of renal cortex samples from either normal and pathologic kidney tissue. The mean enzyme activity values, expressed in Units per gram of cytosolic protein decreased in the following order: normal cortex (LDH = 4,299 +/- 654; AST = 522 +/- 101; ALT = 197 +/- 44). chronic pyelonephritis (LDH = 2,360 +/- 876; AST = 297 +/- 117; ALT = 90 +/- 48), hydronephrosis (LDH = 2,208 +/- 1,264; AST = 279 +/- 165; ALT = 82 +/- 61), pyonephrosis (LDH = 1,410 +/- 596; AST = 158 +/- 69; ALT = 23.4 +/- 16.4) and renal tuberculosis (LDH = 1,149 +/- 481; AST = 93 +/- 34; ALT = 5.6 +/- 2.8). The decrease in the enzyme activities paralleled tissue damage and it was shown to affect cellular functionality in relation with energy and amino acid metabolism.     

Toxicity assessment of insecticides commonly used in rice pest management to the fry of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, a food fish culturable in rice fields

Toxicity of four insecticides commonly used in rice pest management, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, carbaryl and carbosulfan, to the fry of common carp was assessed through median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) and in vivo inhibition of the brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme at sublethal concentrations. The 96‐h LC₅₀ values for these four insecticides were determined to be 0.008, 26.11, 7.85 and 0.60 mg L^?1 respectively. Exposure of fish to a series of sublethal concentrations (0.5–5% LC₅₀) of each insecticide for 14 days resulted in concentration‐dependent inhibition in AChE activity in comparison with the controls. AChE activity was greatly inhibited in the fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Upon transfer to insecticide‐free water, AChE activities in fry exposed to 0.5 and 1% LC₅₀ concentrations of carbaryl and carbosulfan were restored to the control level within 7–21 days whereas the fish exposed to chlorpyrifos or dimethoate did not fully recover from the insecticide‐induced anticholinesterase action. Of the four insecticides tested, chlorpyrifos was the most toxic for the fry of common carp. Although dimethoate was least toxic for the fish under acute exposure, the restoration level of normal AChE activity was slower under chronic exposure in comparison with carbaryl and carbosulfan. Hence, the use of carbamates, especially carbaryl, to control insect pests of rice in rice‐cum‐carp culture systems is recommended when considering survival, restoration of the normal AChE activity and stamina of the cultured fish.