Harvester ant bioassay for assessing hazardous chemical waste sites. [Pogonomyrmex owhyeei]

Abstract

A technique was developed for using harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex owhyeei, in terrestrial bioassays. Procedures \'/ere developed for maintaining stock populations, handling ants, and exposing ants to toxic materials. Relative toxicities were determined by exposing ants to 10 different materials. These materials included three insecticides, Endrin, Aldrin, and Dieldrin; one herbicide, 2,4-D; three complex industrial waste residuals, wood preservative sludge, drilling fluid, and slop oil; and three heavy metals, copper zinc, and cadium. Ants were exposed in petri dishes containing soil amended with a particular toxicant. Under these test conditions, ants showed no sensitivity to the metals or 2,4-D. Ants were sensitive to the insecticides and oils in repeated tests, and relative toxicity remained consistent throughout. Aldrin was the most toxic material followed by Dieldrin, Endrin, wood preservative sludge, drilling fluid, and slop oil .

Approaches to the assessment of injuries to soil arising from discharges of hazardous substances and oil: Type B, Technical information document

“…Bioassays for assessing the toxicity of hazardous substances to crickets are described by Walton (1980) and Burkhardt and Fairchild (1967). A bioassay for ants is described by Gano et al (1985).…”