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Use of natural pyrethrum to control the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii in a rural district of Italy
Author(s) -
Cecchinelli Elena,
Aquiloni Laura,
Maltagliati Giacomo,
Orioli Gabriele,
Tricarico Elena,
Gherardi Francesca
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.2335
Subject(s) - crayfish , procambarus clarkii , biology , daphnia magna , swamp , pyrethrum , toxicology , pesticide , ecology , fishery , zoology , veterinary medicine , chemistry , toxicity , medicine , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND: The crayfish Procambarus clarkii inflicts severe ecological and economic damages in Europe. To develop an efficient method for its control, four experiments were carried out to assess the impact of natural pyrethrum (i.e. Pyblast) on crayfish: (1) the 24 h LC 100 and LC 50 were quantified on crayfish; (2) the breakdown time of the 24 h LC 100 was assessed using Daphnia magna as a bioindicator; the effects of 24 h LC 100 on crayfish were investigated by applying the biocide into burrows (3) and in a drainage channel (4). RESULTS: Pyblast concentrations of 0.05 and 0.02 mg L −1 corresponded to 24 h LC 100 and LC 50 respectively. The concentration of 0.05 mg L −1 broke down after 72 h, whereas 0.02 mg L −1 did not cause any significant mortality in D. magna after 24 h. However, 0.05 mg L −1 had no effect on crayfish when introduced into the burrows, but led to a mortality of 95% when applied in the water. CONCLUSION: Experimental evidence is provided for the efficacy of Pyblast to control invasive crayfish. Obviously, before its use on a large scale, further studies are needed to find a concentration that will achieve the target 100% mortality with the shortest recovery time of the environment. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry