Further Studies on the Loss of Insecticides by Absorption into Mud and Vegetation

Abstract

Formulations of DDT have been applied to standard mud blocks. Toxicities to Glossina palpalis and Aëdes aegypti, and the proportions of insecticide recovered from an outer layer of approximately 0·1 mms. thickness have been compared.Absorption of DDT in oil solutions was considerable, and amounts recovered from the outer layer were only from 8–19 per cent, of the total dosage applied. Adsorption of the insecticide from the oil on to mud occurred. There was some correlation between the capillary rise of the solvent and the extent of absorption. Toxicities of the blocks to test insects were low.Using concentrations of 2 per cent., 5 per cent, and 10 per cent. in power kerosene, there was no increase in the proportion held on the surface. Application of excessively heavy dosages increased the amounts in the outer layers but there was a trend towards greater absorption, and therefore to greater waste, at the high dosages. Repeated applications similarly built up a larger dosage in the outer layer but did not increase the proportion there.Emulsions were intermediate between solutions and wettable powders as regards absorption and toxicity.Up to 77 per cent, of the insecticides applied as wettable powders was recovered from the outer layer, and toxicities were correspondingly high. When benzene hexachloride wettable powder was used there was rapid loss of benzene hexachloride from the surface by volatilisation. After fifteen days the dosage had decreased considerably and the percentage in the outer layer had fallen from over 70 per cent, to 20 per cent.Loss of DDT by penetration of the carrier oil through the leaf cuticle may occur when an oil solution is sprayed on to vegetation. The extent of penetration varies with different plants.There is an indication that small amounts of DDT are transferred from the inside of treated leaves to other untreated parts of young coffee and Avocado pear plants.Deposits of DDT on leaves exposed to ordinary climatic conditions remained toxic to tsetse flies for a longer period when applied as an emulsion than as an oil solution. Deposits from a water suspension of a wettable powder were washed off readily by rain.There is some evidence that continuous exposure to sunlight produced some chemical change in, and reduced the toxicity of, DDT deposits applied to glass plates as a solution in kerosene.