Simple Tests on the Effectiveness of some Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides against the Leather Beetle (Dermestes maculatus Deg.)

Abstract

Comparative tests have been carried out in the laboratory to assess the relative toxicities of Chlordane, BHC and DDT to the leather beetle, Dermestes maculatus. The method used was simple enough for routine industrial purposes when comparisons of new, untried contact insecticides are required, and consists in a measurement of the toxicities of solid films produced by a blood-smear technique on glass photographic plates from standard solutions of insecticide.Among factors influencing the application of the method, the most important were size of insect and size of crystal clusters as influenced by the volatility of the solvent used to form the film. From LD50 measurements, BHC and Chlordane proved, respectively, 140 and 600 times as toxic as DDT to the leather beetle. DDT had comparatively little effect on eggs, larvae or adult beetles.