The toxicity of some insecticidal sprays to adult locusts

Abstract

The toxicities of sprays of some insecticides used against locusts have been determined. The LD50's of γ BHC, diazinon, and dieldrin to both flying and settled adults of Schistocerca gregaria (Forsk.) were between 0·9 and 1·5 times those of the same formulations when applied as a single drop to the abdomen. The toxicity of these insecticides was not affected by the size of the spray droplets when these ranged from about 60 to 250 µ in diameter. The toxicity of DNC, however, was always less by spray application than when applied by micro-drop syringe and was affected by the droplet diameter (droplets of 100 µ being 1·5 times as toxic as those of 200–230 µ) and by whether the locusts were sprayed in flight or when tethered on a card (those in flight being about 1·6 times as susceptible to 100 µ droplets as those at rest). A tentative explanation of this effect is given.The speed of action of the insecticides was compared and the effects of flight activity on susceptibility to the insecticides when sprayed over the flying insects was examined, but none could be detected by the technique used.