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Population Toxicology: Suggestions for Laboratory Bioassays to Predict Pesticide Efficacy

1990; Oxford University Press; Volume: 83; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/jee/83.1.8

1938-291X

Jacqueline L. Robertson, Susan P. Worner,

Pesticide Residue Analysis and Safety

Despite numerous improvements, laboratory bioassays intended to predict responses of natural insect or mite populations to pesticides have been inadequate. Modifications to improve the predictive value of results have included the use of realistic conditions of exposure, scoring procedures other than dead versus alive, identification of significant variables that affect response, a multiple bioassay approach, and estimates of optimal time of application on responses of developmental stages that might be affected by the pesticide. The need to evaluate effects on the basis of population, rather than individual, responses is described. A new approach to laboratory bioassay, population toxicology, is proposed as a means to predict pesticide efficacy. With such an approach, parameters, such as physiological time (e.g., degree days), that define developmental status of a laboratory population or a sample collected from the field would be considered in relation to pesticide response.