SEDL / STP / STP980-EB / STP26464S

Plant and Mineral Oils as Insecticide Adjuvants: Effects on Residues and Toxicity

Plapp, FW
professor of insecticide toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Pages: 6    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

Effects were measured of combining plant and mineral oils with insecticides on residue properties of insecticides on cotton leaves. Surface residues of a relatively polar organophosphate, parathion, were increased in persistence. Little effect of oils on residue properties was found in tests with the more nonpolar synthetic pyrethroid, permethrin.

Effects of oils on insecticide toxicity were measured in tests where insects were exposed to residues on glass surfaces. All oils increased efficacy of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides.

Thus, oils are effective in modifying both insecticide residue life and toxicity. Polarity us test insecticides and nature of the oil are important variables in determining the effects produced.