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Insects as indicators of toxicity, bioaccumulation and bioavailability of environmental contaminants
Author(s) -
Walton Barbara T.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620080803
Subject(s) - acheta , bioaccumulation , ecotoxicology , field cricket , environmental chemistry , environmental toxicology , pollutant , toxicology , pyrene , contamination , biology , pesticide , toxicity , bioavailability , chemistry , zoology , ecology , cricket , pharmacology , organic chemistry , astrobiology
The early involvement of entomologists in ecotoxicology is recognized in this article in celebration of the 70th birthday of Professor Robert L. Metcalf, who was among the first biologists to examine the potential for pesticides to produce unwanted environmental effects. The high sensitivity of insects to some toxicants and the potential insects have for biologically monitoring environmental contaminants is illustrated through review of developmental effects induced with benz[ g ]isoquinoline‐5,10‐dione (biquidone) and other chemicals in the cricket Acheta domesticus (L.). A teratogen‐sensitive period of development is demonstrated prior to germ band formation in embryos of A. domesticus and of the field cricket Gryllus rubens (Scudder). An active mixed function oxidase system is shown for the embryos of both species through metabolism of [ 3 H]benzo[ a ]pyrene to 7,8‐dihydro‐7,8‐dihydroxybenzo[ a ]pyrene. Additional studies are cited to show that careful consideration of insect responses to toxicants can lead to the development of sensitive, cost‐effective assays and monitoring approaches to assess the probable effects of chemical contamination in the environment.