Acute and chronic isopod testing using tropical Porcellionides pruinosus and three model pesticides

• Published in: European journal of soil biology 2005-07, Vol.41 (3), p.143-152
• Main Authors: Jänsch, Stephan, Garcia, Marcos, Römbke, Jörg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Benomyl; Biological and medical sciences; Carbendazim; EC 50; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Isopoda; Lambda-Cyhalothrin; LC 50; LOEC; NOEC
• ISSN: 1164-5563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2005.09.010

An approach for testing acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of pesticides on isopods in the laboratory is presented. Laboratory cultures of tropical Porcellionides pruinosus were used. The pesticides Benomyl, Carbendazim and lambda-Cyhalothrin served as model chemicals. The toxicity tests were done with five to six concentrations and one untreated control in four replicates containing 10 individuals per vessel. The test was performed at 28 °C, in permanent darkness and it lasted 14 days. Each chemical was mixed in 250 g DW per vessel of OECD artificial, LUFA 2.2 standard, tropical artificial or tropical natural soil in acute tests. Chronic tests were performed using 150 g DW OECD artificial or LUFA 2.2 standard soil. Both adult mortality and number of juveniles showed a high sensitivity of P. pruinosus towards lambda-Cyhalothrin while Carbendazim and Benomyl had a very low and no toxicity, respectively. Further research and optimization of the chronic test design are required.