Content of some heavy metal ions in various developmental stages of the social wasp

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701877· OSTI ID:7167065

Kowalczyk, J K; Watala, C ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Lodz (Poland)

In terrestrial ecosystems insects play an important role in the transport and reintegration of both organic and inorganic matter. Thus, the usefulness of insects in monitoring toxicity is important, and their small size makes them convenient test organisms. It is of the utmost interest, therefore, to investigate heavy metal accumulation in such insects which occupy a high trophic levels and to which numerous herbivorous invertebrates are potential preys. Dolichovespula saxonica (Fabr.) is a common social wasp, of palearctic, boreal-alpine areas. It nests above-ground, preferably in trees or wood country cottages. The collection of water and various food, consisting of small insects, carrion, pollen, nectar, aphid-dew or food products, is accomplished only by imagines; larvae are fed and nourished by workers and females. Pretreated food is subsequently digested by larvae themselves. This paper deals with an estimation of the impact of selected heavy metal ions on the relative contamination in various developmental stages and castes of Dolichovespula saxonica (Fabr.). The possibility of ascribing the optionally selected caste as an indicator in monitoring of environmental heavy metal pollution was tested and considered.

• OSTI ID: 7167065
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA) Vol. 43:3; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIET
ELEMENTS
HYMENOPTERA
INSECTS
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
INVERTEBRATES
IONS
IRON COMPOUNDS
LARVAE
LEAD COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
METALS
ONTOGENESIS
POLLUTION
SEX DEPENDENCE
SPECTROSCOPY
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
WASPS
ZINC COMPOUNDS