Effects of cadmium on two biocontrol insects and their host weeds
Cd added to the nutrient solution at 1 mg.L/sup -1/ significantly reduced growth of alligatorweed and purple nutsedge. Both plant species increased about threefold in Cd content when exposed to the added Cd over the 3 to 4 week periods. A significant difference existed between the two insect species in their response to Cd; the alligatorweed flea beetle was very sensitive to Cd levels in the alligatorweed and the nutsedge moth was virtually unaffected by the levels in the purple nutsedge and diet. These results implied that the alligatorweed/alligatorweed flea beetle system might serve as a sensitive bioassay for heavy metal pollution in sewage effluent, particularly since alligatorweed has been considered as a potential biological filter for effluent. Other trace elements may be involved in the biogeography of plants and insects and would merit investigation.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Agriculture, Stoneville, MS
- OSTI ID:
- 5503196
- Journal Information:
- Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 22:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BEETLES
TOLERANCE
CADMIUM
TOXICITY
MOTHS
WEEDS
ANIMAL GROWTH
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
DIET
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FERTILITY
PLANT GROWTH
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
PLANTS
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
560304 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
510200 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)