Toxicity tests, bioaccumulation and residuality of pyrethroid insecticides commonly used to control conifer bark beetles in Mexico.

Effectiveness of pyrethroid insecticides against pests including bark beetles (Dendroctonus spp.) is well known, but little is known about their (a) residuality and persistence in forests after application to control an outbreak and (b) ability to bioaccumulate in insects, which could cause adverse effects on the trophic chains. The 24 h lethal toxicity, bioaccumulation factors, and lethal body burdens of the pyrethroid insecticides bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin were evaluated in the bark beetle Dendroctonus mexicanus.

Ecotoxicity of pesticides and semiochemicals used for control and prevention of conifer bark beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) outbreaks.

Application of pyrethroid pesticides and semiochemicals are two treatments used worldwide to control conifer bark beetles (Dendroctonus spp.); their residues can reach water reservoirs and water currents through run off and affect non-target organisms such as freshwater invertebrates. Therefore, we assessed the 48-h lethal toxicity, chronic toxicity (reproduction inhibition), and bioaccumulation of three pyrethroid pesticides (bifenthrin, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin) and two semiochemicals (verbenone and 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one) in two freshwater invertebrates: the cladoceran Alona guttata and the rotifer Lecane papuana.