The toxicity of five insecticides to earthworms of the Pheretima group, using an artificial soil test

An artificial soil test was used to assess the toxicity of five insecticide s, used for turfgrass pest management, to earthworms of the Pheretima group (Megascolecidae). The effects of cyfluthrin, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, fipro nil and imidacloprid on earthworm mortality, earthworm biomass and individu al earthworm mass, were assessed. Carbaryl and chlorpyrifos had a significa nt greater effect on earthworm mortality than cyfluthrin, seven days after the application of the insecticides. No other significant earthworm mortali ty was found. None of the insecticides had a significant influence on earth worm biomass. Cyfluthrin initially reduced individual earthworm mass, but n ot biomass, more than the other insecticides. Carbaryl reduced biomass more than the other insecticides for all the assessments. Carbaryl, imidaclopri d and cyfluthrin had a larger negative effect than the control, fipronil an d chlorpyrifos on individual earthworm mass in the 14 and 21 day assessment s. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.