Mortality and Cholinesterase Inhibition in Butterflies Following Aerial Naled Applications for Mosquito Control on the National Key Deer Refuge.

Mortality and Cholinesterase Inhibition in Butterflies Following Aerial Naled Applications for Mosquito Control on the National Key Deer Refuge. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2020 Jul 01;: Authors: Bargar TA, Anderson C, Sowers A Abstract Natural resource managers are concerned about the impacts of aerial ultra-low volume spray (ULV) of insecticides for mosquito control (i.e., mosquito adulticides) and seek science-driven management recommendations that reduce risk but allow vector control for nearby human populations. Managers at the National Key Deer Refuge (Florida Keys, FL) are concerned for ULV effects upon conservation efforts for imperiled butterflies (Florida leafwing [Anaea troglodyta floridalis] and Bartram's hairstreak [Strymon acis bartrami] butterflies). No-spray zones were designated for protection of those butterflies, but their effectiveness for mitigation is unclear. To address this uncertainty, cholinesterase activity (ChE) and mortality were monitored for caged butterflies gulf fritillary [Agraulis vanilla] and great southern white [Ascia monuste]) deployed on the Refuge during three aerial ULV applications of the insecticide naled. Residue samplers also were deployed to estimate butterfly exposure. Spray efficacy against mosquitoes was assessed by deploying caged mosquitoes at the same locations as the butterflies. Average naled residue levels on filter paper samplers in the target area (1882-2898 µg/m2) was sign...
Source: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Arch Environ Contam Toxicol Source Type: research