The volatile compounds emanating from four fermented sugar baits, palm sugar, golden cane syrup, port wine, and molasses, were isolated by headspace sampling and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Three classes of compounds including esters, alcohols, and aromatic compounds were identified in the headspace of the four fermented sugar baits. There was a high degree of qualitative similarity between the headspace contents of the four fermented sugar baits, although quantitatively they varied considerably. Ethyl acetate, 3-methylbutanol, ethyl hexanoate, 2-phenylethanol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl (E)-4-decenoate, ethyl decanoate, and ethyl dodecanoate were the major compounds identified in the headspace of the four fermented sugar baits. The efficacy of the four fermented sugar baits was investigated in field trapping experiments. Fermented palm sugar and golden cane syrup were superior in attracting significant numbers of moths as compared to port wine and molasses. Fermented molasses was the least attractive among the four baits. Over 90% of the insects caught were noctuids with Graphania mutans and Tmetolophota spp. being the main noctuids captured (over 55%) in the four fermented sugar baits. Male and female G. mutans were equally attracted to the four sugar baits. A number of tortricid species were also trapped.

The effect of age and environmental parameters on growth, cholinesterase (ChE), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were assessed in juvenile Apporectodea caliginosa earthworms. Earthworms were maintained in three types of soil- loam, sandy, and clay- at a range of moisture contents (15-30%), and temperatures (5-20 C). Earthworm age (1-3 months) had no significant affect on ChE activity. Growth rates were influenced by all environmental parameters tested and these effects were interrelated. Optimum conditions for growth appeared to be in loam or sandy soil with 25-30% moisture at 10-15 C. The GST activity was influenced by soil temperature and activity was significantly higher at 15 C than at 5 C and 10 C. Soil type also influenced GST activity and this influence was dependent on moisture content. In sandy soil GST activity was significantly lower at 30% moisture than at lower moisture contents, in loam soil GST activity was significantly higher at 15% moisture than at higher moisture contents, while in clay soil GST activity was not affected by moisture content. These results indicate that in field experiments when evaluating GST activity soil temperature and soil type need to be consistent between control and 'contaminated sites'. ChE activity was only affected by temperature, so this should be considered when comparing control and treatedareas.

The effect on fecundity of two organophosphates chlorpyrifos and diazinon was assessed in the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa Juveniles were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of each organophosphate the lowest of which was a laboratorysimulated field rate for 4 weeks and recovery was monitored for 12 weeks in organophosphatefree soil Growth maturation cocoon production and hatching success in resulting adults was monitored Growth was reduced by both pesticides during exposure but not in the recovery phase Chlorpyrifos affected maturation rates and fecundity at the highest concentration but diazinon had no effect at either concentration These preliminary results suggest no effects of these pesticides at field rates but the effects of longer term pesticide exposure on fecundity should be determined

No abstract

Two potential biomarkers of pesticide contamination were investigated in Apporectodea caliginosa. Juvenile earthworms were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of the organophosphates chlorpyrifos and diazinon to assess their effect on cholinesterase and glutathione S-trasferase activities. Cholinesterase which is inhibited by organophosphates, was inhibited by 72% by diazinon (P<0.001) and 87% by chlorpyrifos (P<0.001) within 1 day of exposure and remained depressed 14 days after exposure. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is induced by xenobiotics compared to controls and diazinon induced GST by 56% after 14 days (P<0.001) and chlorpyrifos induced GST by 148% after 14 days exposure (P<0.005).