Survival and behavioral responses of larvae of the caddisfly <i>Hydropsyche angustipennis</i> to copper and diazinon

Abstract

Abstract This study reports on newly developed short-term survival and behavioral tests with larvae of the caddisfly Hydropsyche angustipennis using two model toxicants, copper and diazinon. Mortality of first instar larvae was shown to be a reliable endpoint, and it was demonstrated that H. angustipennis is among the more sensitive aquatic insects in terms of both copper and diazinon. In addition, short-term behavioral responses were found to be indicative of adverse effects of ecologically relevant low doses of copper. Using the tests developed in this study, hydropsychid species are excellent tools for discerning the effects of individual toxicants present in large European rivers, and these species may help in defining the conditions for ecological rehabilitation.