The toxicity of five insecticides to earthworms of the Pheretima group, using an artificial soil test

Abstract

An artificial soil test was used to assess the toxicity of five insecticides, used for turfgrass pest management, to earthworms of the Pheretima group (Megascolecidae). The effects of cyfluthrin, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, fipronil and imidacloprid on earthworm mortality, earthworm biomass and individual earthworm mass, were assessed. Carbaryl and chlorpyrifos had a significant greater effect on earthworm mortality than cyfluthrin, seven days after the application of the insecticides. No other significant earthworm mortality was found. None of the insecticides had a significant influence on earthworm biomass. Cyfluthrin initially reduced individual earthworm mass, but not biomass, more than the other insecticides. Carbaryl reduced biomass more than the other insecticides for all the assessments. Carbaryl, imidacloprid and cyfluthrin had a larger negative effect than the control, fipronil and chlorpyrifos on individual earthworm mass in the 14 and 21 day assessments. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry