THE POTENTIAL OF COLLEMBOLA AS INDICATORS OF PESTICIDE USAGE - EVIDENCE AND METHODS FROM THE UK ARABLE ECOSYSTEM

Results of seven years' monitoring epigeic Collembola abundances under conventional and reduced pesticide input regimes in the MAFF SCARAB p roject are presented. Substantial negative changes in abundance occurr ed after some pesticide applications, particularly where organophospho rus insecticides were used in consecutive seasons. The duration of suc h changes varied spatially and between species, being most protracted for Lepidocyrtus spp. and least so for Sminthurinus elegans. Reasons f or the observed spatial and interspecific variation in pesticide effec ts are considered in relation to using epigeic Collembola as indicator s of pesticide side-effects in field studies.